SEOUL – Mayors from over 70 major cities worldwide will convene in Seoul for a three-day event to discuss challenges and solutions for the future of urban centers. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on September 14 that the "Metropolis 40th Anniversary Seoul General Assembly" will be held from September 29 to October 1 at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). This marks the second time Seoul has hosted the event, with the first being in 2002.
Metropolis (the World Association of the Major Metropolises) is an international network of cities with populations of over one million, boasting 163 member cities in 65 countries. The assembly is expected to draw approximately 300 officials, including mayors from cities like New York, Tokyo, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, and Istanbul, as well as representatives from international organizations such as the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG).
Seoul to Share Its "Accompanying the Vulnerable" Policies
During the opening ceremony, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon will deliver a keynote speech on the "Future of Metropolises," sharing key initiatives from the city. He will specifically highlight "Didimdol Income," a pilot program for low-income households, and "Seoul Learn," an online learning platform aimed at bridging the educational gap. These policies, part of Seoul's broader "Accompanying the Vulnerable" initiative, will be shared with the international community as successful examples of inclusive urban governance.
Following the mayor's address, the "Megacity Dialogue" will bring together mayors from a dozen global megacities, including New York, Tokyo, Guangzhou, and Johannesburg, to discuss inclusive urban policies. Hiroo Ichikawa, a senior director at Japan's Mori Memorial Foundation, will also give a keynote speech on the topic of world city competitiveness indexes. The assembly will feature concurrent sessions, including a "Forum on Sharing Excellent Policies" to present Seoul's integrity policies, a "Global City Future Workshop" hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and a "Digital Safe City Forum."
Showcasing Seoul's Charm and Innovation
On the second day, forums will be held to share the achievements of the Metropolis International Training Institute (MITI), operated by the Seoul city government, and to present the "Gardening City Seoul" policy. Participating delegates will also visit "Smart Life Week 2025" at COEX to experience Seoul's smart city initiatives firsthand.
The final day, October 1, will be dedicated to a tour of Seoul's key urban and cultural landmarks, including the Open Songhyeon Green Plaza, Bukchon Hanok Village, Ttukseom Hangang Park, and traditional markets like Gyeongdong and Yangnyeong. Delegates will get an up-close look at Seoul's architectural and hanok preservation policies, its urban gardening initiatives, and successful traditional market revitalization projects. The itinerary even includes a visit to a filming location for the recently globally popular drama "Kedeheon."
Kim Su-deok, Director-General of Seoul's Global Urban Policy Division, stated that the assembly is an opportunity to share Seoul’s policies and charm with cities around the world and will serve as a cornerstone for strengthening global cooperation in tackling the challenges faced by metropolises.
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