Keelung City Releases 2024 Voluntary Local Review – A "City of Love" Showcasing Carbon Reduction and Sustainable Vitality

(Second from right) Ma Chung-hao, Director of the Environmental Protection Bureau, Keelung City Government,
highlights key achievements from Keelung City's 2024 Voluntary Local Review (VLR).

The Keelung City Government today (Apr 24) released the 2024 Keelung City Voluntary Local Review (VLR), highlighting the city's concrete achievements and future vision in sustainable development, urban governance, and social inclusion. Centered around the theme of a "City of Love," the report outlines Keelung's commitment to becoming a more livable, resilient, and vibrant city, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Keelung Mayor George Hsieh stated, "Keelung is not only a historic harbor city but also a place filled with warmth and hope. Guided by the vision of a 'City of Love,' the city government is enhancing social welfare, improving the urban environment, and strengthening the economy, to make Keelung a livable city where people can thrive in both work and life."

Focus of the VLR: "City of Love" Action Plan
The report proposes a variety of development strategies to demonstrate the city's strong commitment to sustainability, including:
1. Social Welfare and Long-Term Care Development Promoting long-term care services, expanding childcare and education resources to support young families, and creating pedestrian-friendly environments. The city is also enhancing accessibility for people with disabilities to ensure the elderly and those with special needs receive proper care and support, enabling every resident to live with peace of mind.
2. Urban Environmental Improvements Investing more resources in the planning of parks and green spaces, upgrading roadways, and enhancing public spaces. Keelung is promoting low-carbon neighborhood renovation subsidies, developing low-carbon transportation and green transit systems, and encouraging low-carbon dietary culture to make the city more beautiful and livable.
3. Industrial and Economic Development Upgrading the harbor economy and transforming the tourism and service sectors to position Keelung as an internationally attractive tourist destination. The city is also fostering emerging industries and the digital economy to attract innovative enterprises, promote smart manufacturing and digital services, and create high-paying job opportunities for young people.

The Keelung City Government released its 2024 Voluntary Local Review (VLR),
showcasing the city's concrete progress and future vision in sustainable development, urban governance, and social inclusion.

At the press conference, Director of the Environmental Protection Bureau, Ma Chung-hao, shared key highlights from the 2024 VLR, including the continued development of low-carbon and green transportation, the expansion of childcare and educational resources, the advancement of Long-Term Care 2.0, the "Keelung Youth Dream Project," and the promotion of local tourism marketing. He emphasized the city's commitment to continuously refine its strategies through ongoing review and international cooperation to deepen its sustainable development initiatives.

Looking forward, the Keelung City Government will continue to promote low-carbon sustainability policies, enhance municipal transparency, and strengthen urban governance through multi-stakeholder collaboration. By working hand-in-hand with citizens, Keelung aims to implement concrete actions that will make it a more inclusive, sustainable, and opportunity-rich modern city—taking a significant step forward in global urban competitiveness.