KL Declaration drafted to enhance networking of capital cities in ASEAN countries

The Officials of ASEAN countries yesterday agreed on a draft declaration to enhance their capital cities' networking during Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) of the 3rd Meeting of Governors/Mayors of ASEAN Capitals (MGM) here.

Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib said the draft declaration named 'Kuala Lumpur Declaration' will be discussed in the third MGM meeting to be held in October, for approval.

"In the meeting, the senior officials discussed four main topics - strengthening Capacity Building, developing Sustainable city, promoting culture and enhancing the tourism industry among ASEAN Capital Cities.

"As a result of this year's meeting, the Kuala Lumpur Declaration is drafted," he told reporters after the SOM Meeting Dinner here, last night.

He said the governors, mayors and representatives of Capital Cities from 10 ASEAN countries, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, as well as Malaysia, took part in the meeting on Monday.

The MGM was first organised in Jakarta in September 2013.

It was initiated by Jakarta's formal governor, Joko Widodo, to form a solid collaborative framework for the contribution of local governments towards the three pillars on ASEAN Community, namely ASEAN Political-Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.