GANGTOK, SEPT 28: Gangtok and Jeonju, South Korea, have taken a significant step towards strengthening international city-to-city cooperation with the signing of a “Declaration of Collaboration” on sustainable urban tourism development.
The declaration was jointly signed by Mayor of Gangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC) Smt. Tshering Palden Bhutia and Mayor of Jeonju Mr. Chi Ji-Hoon during the Jeonju Future Cities Forum, held from September 15 to 19, 2026, in Jeonju, Korea.
The collaboration will provide a framework for the two cities to engage in city-level cooperation, dialogue and knowledge exchange on sustainable urban tourism and other areas of mutual interest. The initiative is aimed at creating opportunities for both cities to share experiences, explore innovative approaches and strengthen cooperation in developing tourism that is sustainable and beneficial to urban communities.
The signing of the declaration was a key outcome of Gangtok’s participation in the international forum, which brought together city leaders and urban development experts from Europe, Asia and other parts of the world. The 2026 edition was held under the theme “Global Urban Tourism: Evolving the Future” and was sponsored by the European Union under the International Urban & Regional Cooperation (IURC) programme, in coordination with the CITYNET Korea Office.
Gangtok was the only city from South Asia selected by the IURC to participate in the forum, providing an international platform for the city to showcase its approach to sustainable and wellness-oriented urban development.
GMC Commissioner Gary Chopel, who accompanied the Mayor, presented a paper titled “A Vision for a Wellness City,” highlighting Gangtok’s development initiatives and the vision of positioning the city as a wellness-oriented urban destination.
The collaboration with Jeonju also opens avenues for continued engagement between the two cities, particularly in the exchange of knowledge and practices related to urban tourism, sustainability and city development.
Adding to the significance of Gangtok’s international engagement, the CITYNET Korea Office has also expressed interest in having Gangtok as an Indian partner city in its network. This could further expand opportunities for Gangtok to connect and exchange knowledge with cities across the international urban development network.
The signing of the Declaration of Collaboration marks a new chapter in Gangtok’s international city partnerships, with sustainable urban tourism emerging as an important area of cooperation between Gangtok and Jeonju.
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