Dubai Hosts 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit & Mayors’ Forum

Dubai is gearing up to host the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit (2025APCS) & Mayors’ Forum, set to take place from October 27 to 29, 2025, at the Dubai Exhibition Centre. As cities around the world grow rapidly, urbanization has become a defining feature of the 21st century. Cities are now the engines of investment, innovation, and progress, but they also face new challenges, such as population growth, climate change, and the need for sustainable infrastructure.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence of the UAE, the summit will bring together global experts to discuss solutions that make cities more livable, efficient, and resilient. The event will highlight Dubai’s role as a leader in urban development, smart infrastructure, and sustainability.

A Global Gathering of Urban Leaders

The 2025APCS & Mayors’ Forum is one of the largest international gatherings of city leaders, mayors, investors, and business innovators. The event is organized by Expo City Dubai, which has become a hub for global collaboration and urban innovation since hosting Expo 2020 Dubai.

Participants will include policymakers, investors, business leaders, young professionals, academics, and startups. This diverse mix will provide a platform for exchanging ideas, sharing best practices, and forming partnerships to address the complex challenges cities face today. The forum emphasizes that urban growth should benefit people, the economy, and the environment simultaneously.

Key Themes and Discussion Areas

The summit will focus on several critical urban topics:

• Affordable Housing Solutions: With populations increasing in urban areas, cities need strategies to provide more accessible and affordable housing. This discussion will focus on innovative approaches such as modular housing, public-private partnerships, and sustainable urban planning.
• Urban Heat Mitigation: Cities often experience higher temperatures due to urban heat islands. Experts will discuss green building designs, tree planting, reflective surfaces, and climate-responsive planning to reduce heat and create comfortable urban spaces.
• Smart and Data-Driven Cities: The summit will highlight the use of data analytics, AI, and IoT technologies to improve city management. Smart cities can enhance transportation, energy efficiency, waste management, and public services, making urban life more convenient and sustainable.
• Nature-Based Urban Planning: Integrating green spaces, parks, and nature-inspired designs can improve both environmental and social outcomes. Nature-based solutions promote biodiversity, reduce air pollution, and enhance public health, making cities more attractive and resilient.

These focus areas aim to guide cities toward balanced growth, where innovation and sustainability coexist, creating livable and resilient urban environments.

Dubai’s Vision for Sustainable Urban Development

By hosting this summit, Dubai is emphasizing its leadership in sustainable urban planning. The city has implemented numerous initiatives in smart infrastructure, digital solutions, and sustainable design to enhance quality of life for residents and visitors.

The Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan serves as a blueprint for this vision. It prioritizes green communities, mixed-use neighborhoods, efficient transportation networks, and inclusive urban growth. The plan also emphasizes the integration of nature, technology, and community-focused spaces, ensuring that the city remains competitive, innovative, and environmentally responsible.

Expo City Dubai, the venue for the summit, continues to showcase Dubai’s global collaboration potential. It provides a platform for city leaders, innovators, and investors to share ideas, launch projects, and forge partnerships.

Collaboration and Investment Opportunities

The summit is not just about discussions; it is also about creating real-world impact. Cities and businesses attending the event will have opportunities to explore investment partnerships, joint projects, and innovative solutions.

Dubai Municipality is expected to reveal several flagship projects and strategic initiatives during the summit. These projects aim to boost urban sustainability, improve transportation systems, advance digital infrastructure, and foster international collaboration.

Previous summits have led to partnerships and initiatives valued at billions of dollars, underlining the potential for economic growth and urban innovation that the 2025APCS promises.

Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Announcement

Another highlight of the summit will be the announcement of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games procurement program. This program will open opportunities for companies involved in infrastructure, technology, and services, linking global urban development initiatives with major international events. Such announcements provide a chance for cities and businesses to connect, invest, and collaborate on projects that have wide-ranging economic and social benefits.

Voices from the Summit

Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and CEO of Expo City Dubai Authority, said:
“Dubai has transformed from hosting a World Expo to leading global discussions on climate and urban development. This summit will balance innovation with sustainability, technology with nature, and growth with social well-being.”

Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary General of The Executive Council of Dubai, added:
“Dubai is a model of global cooperation and continuous progress. By fostering partnerships and knowledge exchange, this summit will help cities around the world tackle the complexities of urbanization and enhance residents’ quality of life.”

People-Centric Urban Planning

A key focus of the 2025APCS is people-first urban planning. Cities must ensure access to quality housing, education, healthcare, transportation, green spaces, and economic opportunities. By prioritizing residents’ needs, urban growth becomes inclusive, sustainable, and socially responsible.

Investments in community spaces, public transport, and social infrastructure are crucial for fostering healthy, safe, and vibrant urban environments.

Technology and Innovation in Cities

The summit will highlight how smart technologies and data-driven solutions can help cities operate efficiently. Technologies such as traffic management systems, renewable energy monitoring, AI-driven public services, and digital platforms can make urban life more convenient and resilient.

Startups and tech innovators attending the summit will showcase new solutions that address urban challenges, ranging from energy efficiency to sustainable transport and digital governance.

Sustainability at the Core

Sustainability will be central to all discussions at the summit. Cities must reduce environmental impact, embrace renewable energy, and adopt nature-based infrastructure solutions. Integrating parks, urban forests, and water-sensitive designs not only improves environmental quality but also makes cities more pleasant and livable for residents and attractive to investors.

Networking and Knowledge Sharing

The summit will provide ample opportunities for networking, learning, and collaboration. Leaders can exchange success stories, challenges, and lessons learned, ensuring that innovative urban solutions are scalable and applicable across different regions.

Workshops, panels, and interactive sessions will allow participants to connect, discuss, and develop actionable plans that address city-specific challenges.

Future-Focused Urban Strategies

Urbanization is accelerating globally, and cities must adopt forward-looking strategies. This includes planning for population growth, climate adaptation, technological integration, and social inclusion.

The summit will help leaders develop practical plans, share best practices, and foster partnerships that make cities resilient, sustainable, and competitive in the global arena.

Dubai as a Model City

Dubai continues to serve as a benchmark for urban innovation and sustainability. With its focus on smart infrastructure, community well-being, and environmentally responsible development, the city provides valuable lessons for other cities in the region and around the world. Hosting the 2025APCS reinforces Dubai’s global leadership in forward-thinking urban planning.

The Role of Expo City Dubai

Expo City Dubai is more than a venue; it is a symbol of global collaboration and innovation. It serves as a hub where leaders, innovators, and investors can discuss and implement ideas that make cities better for residents and more sustainable for the planet.

The venue represents Dubai’s commitment to knowledge sharing, innovation, and international cooperation, making it the perfect setting for a global summit on urban development.

Key Takeaways from the Summit

1. Cities must focus on people-first planning.
2. Affordable housing and smart infrastructure are essential for sustainable urban growth.
3. Nature-based urban solutions improve environmental and social well-being.
4. Technology and data enhance city efficiency, resilience, and decision-making.
5. Collaboration and partnerships are key to global urban progress.