DUNKIRK, France — Busan is officially stepping into the global spotlight as the next host of the World Association for Cities and Port Areas (AIVP) Conference.

The announcement was formally made during the closing ceremony of the 21st AIVP World Conference at the Kursaal Convention Center in Dunkirk on November 6. The upcoming 22nd conference is scheduled to run from November 2 to 5, 2027, at BEXCO in Busan, South Korea.

This year’s four-day event in France convened international urban planners, port authorities, and municipal leaders under the theme "Cities and Ports in Motion: Time for Action!"

Representing the host city for the next cycle, Busan’s Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs, Oh Seok-geun, took the stage at the closing ceremony. Highlighted in his address was Busan’s evolution into the world’s second-largest transshipment hub, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the port’s opening. He also briefed international attendees on cutting-edge urban projects, including the massive North Port redevelopment initiative and the development of supply chains for eco-friendly marine fuels.

Inviting global delegations to the 2027 gathering, Deputy Mayor Oh emphasized Busan's ambition to serve as a vital diplomatic bridge. He noted that discussions cultivated during the AIVP conference will naturally feed into the upcoming UN Ocean Conference, slated for Busan in June 2028.

Throughout the Dunkirk event, Busan operated a dedicated 'BUSAN 2027' promotional pavilion. The exhibition space drew heavy foot traffic with interactive social media activities, maritime vision displays, and custom souvenirs provided alongside the Busan Tourism Organization. City officials also actively engaged in the General Assembly and "Port City Debates," outlining Busan's 2050 vision for sustainable urban-port integration. Furthermore, the Busan delegation met with newly appointed AIVP Executive Committee President Olga Farman (CEO of the Port of Quebec Authority) to secure collaborative frameworks for the upcoming event.

Looking ahead, Busan Metropolitan City is moving quickly to lay the groundwork. An official inspection delegation from the AIVP Secretariat is scheduled to visit Busan from December 1 to 5 to evaluate prime venues, including BEXCO, and review local accommodation and logistical capabilities. City officials aim to finalize core programs and thematic directions alongside AIVP by the first half of next year.

"The momentum generated here in Dunkirk will materialize into concrete actions when we welcome the world to Busan in 2027," remarked Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo. "We will leverage this prestigious conference to cement Busan’s status as a premier global hub for international port city cooperation."

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]