Dubai: H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, attended the opening of the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit (2025APCS) and Mayors’ Forum, hosted at Expo City Dubai. The event, held at the Dubai Exhibition Centre until 29 October, is one of the world’s largest gatherings of mayors, city leaders, and business decision-makers, with more than 150 mayors and representatives from over 350 cities participating.
According to Emirates News Agency, Sheikh Hamdan emphasized that Dubai’s hosting of the Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum 2025 underscores its stature as a global hub for urban dialogue aimed at fostering innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive urban development. The event’s participation from over 350 cities worldwide reflects global confidence in Dubai’s development path and leadership in creating an integrated urban model through collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Sheikh Hamdan highlighted that the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, has laid the groundwork for a future-ready city focused on people, knowledge, and innovation. This vision is evident in Dubai’s achievements in urban planning, resource sustainability, and the development of advanced digital and service infrastructure, positioning it among the world’s most prepared cities for the future.
Sheikh Hamdan reiterated Dubai’s commitment to being a platform that unites city leaders, experts, and decision-makers to explore solutions balancing economic development, environmental sustainability, and quality of life. He affirmed the city’s dedication to maintaining its status as a global leader in the development of future cities that prioritize people and anticipate the needs of future generations.
The opening ceremony was attended by Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Ajman Municipality and Planning Department; Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and CEO of Expo City Dubai Authority; Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications; Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary-General of The Executive Council of Dubai; Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director-General of the Community Development Authority in Dubai, along with other senior officials and heads of delegations.
Sheikh Hamdan engaged with summit delegates, including Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo, and other mayors and policymakers, emphasizing the importance of cooperation amidst rapid urban expansion. Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti remarked on Dubai’s role as a global model for urban development, providing a platform for cities worldwide to share experiences and collaborate on shaping a sustainable future.
Councillor Adrian Schrinner, Lord Mayor of Brisbane, commended the summit’s hosts for their visionary support, marking it as a significant event in the summit’s 29-year history. The opening session highlighted Dubai’s growth trajectory under visionary leadership, featuring strategies such as the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and UAE Centennial Plan 2071. Key figures from various Dubai organizations discussed the city’s agile governance model and its focus on attracting talent and fostering collaboration.
The summit, an initiative of Brisbane City Council and delivered by Expo City Dubai with support from The Executive Council of Dubai, marks the first time it is hosted in the Middle East. It addresses key global priorities, including affordable housing, urban heat resilience, data-intelligent systems, and nature-based approaches to city development.