Busan to Host the World Smart City Expo 2025
- Contents
-
Busan to Host the World Smart City Expo 2025
□ Busan Metropolitan City, in collaboration with BEXCO, has successfully secured the bid for the 2025 World Smart City Expo, organized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure & Transport.
○ Since its inception, the World Smart City Expo has been Asia's largest platform for demonstrating emerging smart city technologies and innovations on a global scale. Co-organized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure & Transport and the Ministry of Science & ICT, it has taken place every year from 2017 to 2024 at KINTEX, located in Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi-do.
○ The hosting bid, open to municipalities and convention centers, concluded with the official announcement by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure & Transport on December 30th, 2024.
□ In preparation for the bid, we initiated a series of strategic steps on October 30th, 2024, leveraging partnerships with BEXCO, the Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency, and the Busan Tourism Organization.
□ The city of Busan highlighted that it is one of the nation’s two pilot smart cities, alongside Sejong, and has a proven track record in hosting international events, including G-STAR, the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit, and the Busan International Mobility Show. A central proposal highlighted holding the 2025 World Smart City Expo in tandem with K-ICT WEEK in BUSAN, which would maximize content integration and synergies. Additionally, specialized tour packages to the National Pilot Smart City and Smart Village in Busan will provide attendees with immersive, firsthand experiences.
○ K-ICT WEEK in BUSAN, the largest of its kind in the southeastern part of Korea, merges three exhibitions: AI KOREA, IT EXPO BUSAN, and CLOUD EXPO KOREA. In 2024, it welcomed approximately 200 companies and 16,000 people, showcasing advancements in artificial intelligence transformation, innovative technologies, and more. Accompanying conferences delved into cutting-edge topics such as quantum information technology and information security.
□ As the new host city for the World Smart City Expo for multiple years, Busan is set to reap significant benefits. The 2024 Expo saw participation from over 330 companies representing 70 countries and over 39,000 visitors. Previously being held in the Seoul Capital Area, this prestigious event has served as a cornerstone for exchanges and business activities in state-of-the-art industries. Its relocation to Busan is anticipated to catalyze growth in regards to the city’s digital convergence and generate substantial ripple effects within the tourism and hospitality sectors.
○ The 2025 World Smart City Expo is slated from July 15th through 17th, 2025.
□ Mayor Park Heong-joon commented, “I am thrilled that Busan was selected as the host for the 2025 World Smart City Expo, a global celebration of smart cities. As the first municipality to lead such an event, Busan will work closely with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure & Transport to create a dynamic venue for sharing technology and knowledge among the next generation of smart cities. With impressive credentials, Busan is firmly positioned as a leader in smart city innovation, ranking 13th worldwide and 2nd in Asia in the Smart Centres Index. The World Smart City Expo in 2025 will mark a significant milestone on Busan’s journey towards becoming a global hub.”
