SINGAPURA – Makassar Mayor Moh. Ramdhan “Danny” Pomanto shared his experiences with world leaders at the Mayor Forum World Cities Summit (WCS) 2024 held in Singapore on Monday (3/5).
Together with 93 world city leaders, he was invited specifically to continue the discussions on urban issues and challenges with the big theme of Liveable and Sustainable Cities: “Rejuvenate, Reinvent and Reimagine”.
During the meeting, the Mayor of Makassar had a special opportunity to meet the Senior Minister for National Development and Communications Tan Kiat How and Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
He was the guest of honor of the President of Singapore at the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize Ceremony and Banquet with other world mayors at Clifford Pier at The Fullerton Bay Hotel, Monday (3/5).
On the second day of the event, Danny and the world leaders were warmly welcomed. The atmosphere was lively, festive, and full of closeness.
Together with Tan Kiat How, he discussed many things. Especially about the development of smart cities and bilateral relations between the two countries.
He also expressed his appreciation for WCS 2024. Moreover, this event brought him together with great guests from around the world.
He hopes that communication and bilateral cooperation between Makassar and Singapore will continue and become a strong partner for each other.
The experience of all leaders of cities in the world, he continued, is a valuable lesson for other cities.
“Therefore, WCS is a very important international event for cities in the world,” Danny stated.
Meanwhile, Tan Kiat How was grateful and very appreciative of Makassar City’s participation in the WCS.
He ensured that the cooperation between Singapore and Makassar would continue.
Introducing Makassar to 93 mayors in the world
93 mayors attending the Mayor Forum of the World Cities Summit (WCS) 2024 shared experiences and practices on efforts to improve the lives of urban communities in an integrated and inclusive manner.
During his part, Danny Pomanto showcased his city’s Lorong Wisata (Tourism Alley) innovative programme that successfully transformed the alley environment into a more empowered one.
“Alleys that were once shabby become beautiful, green, and productive city living spaces,” he said.
Lorong Wisata, he added, has a broader scope and is not just a new tourist destination.
This programme is also one of the Makassar City Government’s efforts to restore the community-based economy.
“Lorong Wisata is a multi-innovation that involves the community as a whole in order to make it more empowered by the independence of entrepreneurship in the alley,” he explained.
Danny Pomanto also showcased the Makassar City Government’s efforts towards a low carbon city.
Makassar has implemented resilient and low carbon city programmes to deal with the impacts of climate change.
This low carbon city ideal, he said, must start from the alleys as well.
“The issue of carbon emission is essentially human behavior. All this (carbon emissions) happens because of human behavior,” he said.
With the development of economic circulation, Danny believes it will make the community empowered and independent and make the environment green so that it helps reduce carbon emissions in the air.
He added that the experiences of cities around the world are important as learning materials for other cities facing similar issues.
“Therefore, WCS is a very important international event for cities,” he concluded.
