DBKL Shines on the Global Stage with Two Prestigious Awards at WSCE 2025
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) once again brought honour to Malaysia on the international stage by securing two prestigious accolades — the WSCE 2025 Contribution Award and the Foreign City Award — on 16 July 2025. The recognition was bestowed during the World Smart City Expo (WSCE) 2025, held at BEXCO in Busan Metropolitan City, South Korea.
The awards were presented to YBrs. Puan Nor Azlina binti Mohd Saad, Executive Director (Management), who received them on behalf of the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur. This international recognition celebrates DBKL’s successful implementation of the KL Digital Madani Library Hub in Sri Permaisuri, a flagship project that aligns perfectly with the overarching theme of WSCE 2025.
At the heart of this initiative lies the Kuala Lumpur Library, which played a pivotal role in shaping the KL Digital Madani Library Hub. The library served as a central pillar in integrating both physical and digital spaces, aimed at empowering the urban community through knowledge and technology. This effort strongly supports Kuala Lumpur’s long-term vision to drive smart urbanisation through data-driven, knowledge-based solutions, nurturing a future-ready generation equipped to navigate global challenges.
More than just a centre for learning and reference, the Kuala Lumpur Library has evolved into a vibrant community hub, offering seamless access to digital resources and critical information. Through strategic collaboration and the application of real-time data, the initiative has successfully bridged the digital divide and fostered inclusive urban growth — ensuring no city dweller is left behind in the development journey.
DBKL remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing a sustainable, inclusive, and technology-driven smart city agenda, focused on enhancing the well-being and resilience of all urban residents.
1. What is KLWBC?
On 19 September 2018, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay named Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, as the World Book Capital for 2020. Kuala Lumpur was chosen on the recommendation of the World Book Capital Advisory Committee, which consists of representatives of the International Publishers Association (IPA). , the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) and UNESCO based on applications received from cities around the world.
The city was chosen because of its strong focus on inclusive education, knowledge-based community development and accessible reading for all sections of the city’s population.
With the slogan “KL Baca – caring through reading”, the program focuses on four themes: reading in all its forms, development of book industry infrastructure, inclusion and digital access, and empowering children through reading.
2. The goal of KLWBC?
The goal of KLWBC 2020 is to increase interest in reading and access to books in Malaysia. In other words, KLWBC 2020 is responsible for promoting the process of building a reading culture as well as developing access to books for the community. At the same time celebrate the level of literacy in this country in order to function as a source of spreading knowledge. Unesco’s goal is to make the process of reading and bookkeeping as the basis for improving the quality of social civilization and the civilization of the nation’s mind.
3. When will KLWBC 2020 take place?
From 18 to 23 April, Dataran Merdeka will be the main location to celebrate the week of Kuala Lumpur’s declaration as the 20th WBC. Also from 23 April, Kuala Lumpur will be officially recognized as the Book Capital of the World until 22 April 2021.
4. What are the activities during KLWBC?
5. Reference website
You can visit https://www.kualalumpurwbc.com/ OR https://www.facebook.com/KualaLumpurWBC/ for more information
