The path to a sustainable future for Asia and the Pacific runs through its cities -- economic, social and cultural centres for nearly 2.5 billion people and home to the world's largest urban population and number of people living in informal settlements.
But the megatrend of urbanization across the Asia-Pacific region has not come without difficulties. Many of the multiple crises the world faces intersect in cities, creating new challenges and further exposing longstanding issues, such as inequality, urban poverty, affordable housing and an expanding infrastructure gap. Cities are where these interlinked crises are most visible, often affecting the most vulnerable communities.
Against this backdrop, the Eighth Asia-Pacific Urban Forum (APUF-8) will be held from 23 to 25 October 2023 in Suwon City, Republic of Korea. As the region's premier multi-stakeholder forum, APUF-8 brings together the experiences of urban thought leaders, government officials and major stakeholder groups to reflect on the colliding crises faced by cities in Asia and the Pacific, synthesize innovative approaches and actions to support sustainable urban development in the context of the New Urban Agenda and the decade for action for the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Forum is organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and Suwon City, in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of the Republic of Korea, and in cooperation with UN-Habitat, Habitat for Humanity International and CityNet as well as a range of supporting partner organizations.
NOTE TO EDITOR: Members of the media are invited to attend in-person or via the online webcast.
What: 8th Asia-Pacific Urban Forum
When: 23 - 25 October 2023
Where: Suwon City Convention Centre, Republic of Korea
In-person accreditation: https://indico.un.org/event/1005558/
Watch online: https://www.youtube.com/unescap
For the full programme: https://www.apuf8.org/
Key speakers:
- Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP
- Lee Jae-joon, Mayor of Suwon City, Republic of Korea
- H.E. Won Hee-ryong, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Republic of Korea
- H.E. David Nga Kor Ming, Minister of Local Government Development, Malaysia
- H.E. Sevenitini Toumoua, Minister for Infrastructure, Tonga
- H.E. Ngy Chanphal, Secretary of State for Interior, Cambodia
- H.E. Maciu Nalumisa, Minister for Housing and Local Government, Fiji
- H.E. Ishmael Mali Avui, Minister for Lands, Housing and Survey, Solomon Islands
- H.E. Boutu Bateriki, Minister of Internal Affairs, Kiribati
- H.E. Hyoeun Jenny Kim, Ambassador and Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Republic of Korea
- Solomon Greene, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Department of Housing and Urban Development, United States of America
- H.E. Ester A. Aldana, CESO II, Assistant Secretary for Administration, Finance and Comptrollership, Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Philippines
- H.E. Vilaykham Phosalath, Vice Minister, Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Lao PDR
- H.E. Bambang Susantono, Chairman of Nusantara Capital City Authority, Indonesia
- H.E. Jean Todt, United Nations Special Envoy for Road Safety
- Vijay Jagannathan, Secretary-General, CityNet
- Patrick Canagasinghamm, Chief Operating Officer, Habitat for Humanity International
- Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary-General, United Cities and Local Governments Asia Pacific
- Dr. Jung Sook Park, Secretary-General, WeGo
- Dr. Emil Dardak, President, EAROPH International
