Under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, Expo City Dubai will host the Asia-Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum from October 27 to 29. This event marks the first time such a summit is held in the Middle East, bringing together an array of city leaders and mayors from all over the world.
The summit is expected to attract city leaders, mayors, and representatives from governmental institutions and corporations, coming from over 300 cities worldwide, all aiming to shape the future of urban development.
The event will serve as a platform for translating ideas into actionable plans. A series of innovative announcements and incentives to encourage investment, innovation, and progress will be shared, focusing on making cities more livable, efficient, and resilient.
Smart Cities
The summit will address a wide range of topics, including affordable housing projects and urban solutions, as well as data-driven smart cities. Policy makers, investors, business leaders, young professionals, academics, and startups will gather to exchange a plethora of ideas.
Together, they will forge a path toward more environmentally sustainable cities, centered around human well-being, while enhancing transportation, housing, economic opportunities, and access to education and healthcare.
The Dubai Municipality plans to unveil several ambitious strategic projects aimed at enhancing urban sustainability, developing smart infrastructures, supporting digital transformation, and fostering local and international cooperation between cities. This reflects Dubai’s commitment to innovative urban planning and its status as a model for future urban environments.
A New Path
According to Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and CEO of the Expo City Dubai Authority, this event brings together the world once more in Dubai, following the remarkable Expo. Utilizing Expo City’s legacy, it aims to address the gravest global challenges while facilitating urban development solutions.
This diverse gathering of city leaders and visionary thinkers provides an opportunity to strike a balance between innovation, expertise, technology, and sustainable growth, thereby setting a new direction for global urban communities.
Abdullah Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai, emphasized that Dubai stands as a model of evolving urban communities and a symbol of global collaboration and continual progress. The city boasts a vibrant international community with citizens from over 200 nationalities, prioritizing sustainable development.
The human-centered urban planning and world-class governance models are exemplified through its strategic partnerships and comprehensive developmental plans guided by the Dubai 2033 agenda that encompasses both economic and social dimensions.
With the direction of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, this global summit will enable new partnerships and collaborations to ensure cities worldwide are prepared for efficient urban growth management.
We are committed to actively contributing to creating smart, flexible, and sustainable solutions for future cities and communities. The summit will see participation from city leaders and mayors along with senior officials from cities across the Arab world, Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, and the Americas, discussing the future of urban areas and sharing their visions for sustainable urban development.
Participants will include officials from Brisbane, Australia; Abuja, Nigeria; Fortaleza, Brazil; Jaipur, India; Karachi, Pakistan; Montpellier, France; Rabat, Morocco, among many others.
Notable speakers will include Sheikha Nasser Al Nuaimi, the newly elected Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (2026 – 2030), the first woman to hold this position; Dr. Nawal Al-Hosani, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA); and Jong Ki Kim, Secretary General of the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization, based in Seoul, South Korea.
Success Stories
The Dubai Government will showcase a pavilion highlighting the success stories of the city as a global hub that builds upon its current achievements for a promising future. Various governmental entities will also participate, including Dubai Police, the Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Digital Authority, Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing, and Dubai Future Foundation.
The Dubai Real Estate Forum, in collaboration with the Dubai Land Department, will explore how land use, infrastructure, and ambitious real estate development can contribute to both economic prosperity and human well-being, recognizing that real estate is one of the least utilized tools in achieving resilience and long-term value in urban areas.
A Mayors’ Forum will also take place during the summit, sponsored by Dubai Municipality and in partnership with the Milken Institute, aimed at reaching a Mayors’ Declaration at the summit’s conclusion. Additionally, a Cities Leaders Forum will be organized in collaboration with the Arab Towns Organization.