Hamdan bin Mohammed opens Asia Pacific Cities Summit in Dubai

October 27, 2025 / 10:47 PM

Sharjah 24 – WAM: His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, attended the opening of the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit (2025APCS) and Mayors’ Forum at Expo City Dubai. The event, running until 29 October, gathers over 150 mayors and representatives from more than 350 cities to advance sustainable and inclusive urban development.

Dubai as a global hub for urban innovation

Sheikh Hamdan highlighted that hosting the summit reflects Dubai’s status as a global hub for urban dialogue, fostering innovative solutions for smarter, more sustainable cities. The participation of city leaders from around the world demonstrates confidence in Dubai’s development and its integrated urban model built on collaboration and expertise sharing.

Vision and commitment to future-ready cities

Sheikh Hamdan credited His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision for establishing a future-ready city centered on people, knowledge, and innovation. Dubai’s achievements in urban planning, sustainability, and digital infrastructure position it among the world’s most prepared cities. He emphasized the city’s commitment to balancing economic development, environmental sustainability, and quality of life while anticipating the needs of future generations.

Global cooperation and urban leadership

The opening was attended by senior UAE officials and international delegates, including Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo. Sheikh Hamdan engaged with global leaders to highlight the importance of international cooperation in addressing urban challenges.

Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary-General of The Executive Council of Dubai, described Dubai as a model for forward-looking, human-centered urban development, offering insights that can inspire cities worldwide.

Showcasing Dubai’s growth and strategies

The summit opened with a session highlighting Dubai’s growth through initiatives like the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and the UAE Centennial Plan 2071, focusing on agile governance, talent attraction, and cross-sector collaboration. Councillor Adrian Schrinner, Lord Mayor of Brisbane, noted the significance of hosting the event at the site of the World Expo and praised Dubai’s support in creating a landmark summit.

Key themes of the summit

Hosted for the first time in the Middle East, the summit explores global priorities such as affordable housing, urban heat resilience, data-driven systems, and nature-based approaches to city development, positioning Dubai as a hub for shaping the cities of the future.