WUHAN: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng delivered a compelling presentation at the 2025 Culture and Creativity Driven Sustainable Urban Development International Forum in Wuhan.
During the event, Kuching was showcased as a prime example of how the integration of culture, sustainable tourism, and urban regeneration can drive inclusive and sustainable city growth.
The Forum, organised by the Secretariat of the Unesco Creative Cities Network, the Wuhan Municipal Bureau of Natural Resources and Urban Rural Development, and the Wuhan Planning and Design Institute, brought together global city leaders, experts, and policymakers to exchange best practices in sustainable urban development.
“In Kuching, we’ve seen how cross-sector initiatives form a virtuous cycle: culture attracts tourism, tourism revenues support regeneration, and regeneration enriches both the cultural and tourism experience,” said Wee in his presentation.
He highlighted Kuching’s achievements as Malaysia’s first Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy, as well as its designation as a Unity City, World Craft City, and active participant in the Healthy City, Child-Friendly City Initiative and WHO Age-Friendly Cities Network.
Wee went on to explain how gastronomy is more than just food in Kuching; it is a driving force for innovation, tourism, and livelihoods.
He also discussed how eco-tourism plays a vital role in protecting biodiversity while creating employment opportunities, and how urban regeneration policies enhance inclusivity through revitalised public spaces designed with age and child-friendly frameworks.
“Kuching’s approach aligns with key international frameworks, such as the Braga Manifesto on Culture and Sustainability, the Mondiacult 2025 Agenda, and the Sarawak Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), which all place culture at the heart of development planning,
“Through this model, Kuching is proving that even mid-sized cities can take on a global leadership role in shaping sustainable, people-centered futures,” he said.
