Busan City Participates in Singapore WCS... Introducing Busan's Leap as a Global Hub City

June 2-4, Singapore, 9th World Cities Summit, attended by Vice Mayor Lee Joonseung and high-level officials including mayors from over 70 countries

The city of Busan attended the 9th World Cities Summit, held in Singapore from June 2 to 4, where it introduced the future of Busan's port and expanded inter-city government exchanges by meeting with mayors and high-level officials from various participating cities.

The 9th World Cities Summit (WCS)

The World Cities Summit (WCS) is an international event launched in Singapore in 2008 to discuss urban issues and share best practices among global cities. It has been held biennially and marked its ninth edition this year.

This year, the event was successfully held at the Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre in Singapore from June 2 to 4. Deputy Mayor for Administrative Affairs Lee Joonseung, along with mayors from over 70 cities, policymakers, and central government officials, attended the summit as representatives of their respective cities.

On the first day (June 2), Deputy Mayor Lee Joonseung participated in the World Cities Summit Mayors Forum (WCSMF), which is held alongside the WCS, and engaged in exchanges with mayors of major cities.

On the following day, June 3, during the WCS Port Special Session, he gave a presentation on "Busan's Leap to a Global Hub City through Sustainable Port Development," sharing the city's efforts for future port development and revitalization, as well as Busan's case with other cities.

The Port Special Session featured a keynote speech by Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment and Senior Minister of State for Transport of Singapore, followed by presentations and discussions from six speakers, including Deputy Mayor Lee and Vincent Karremans, Deputy Mayor of Rotterdam, providing a platform to introduce and share each city's case.

In his presentation, Deputy Mayor Lee emphasized that "Busan Port" has grown into the largest trading port in South Korea and a central port on the Pacific-Eurasia route. He highlighted that "North Port" is being reborn as a space where people and the sea coexist within the city, and "New Port" is emerging as a smart hub port connecting the world.

On the final day, June 4, Deputy Mayor Lee met with the head of KOTRA Singapore Trade Center to learn about the activities of local companies operating in Singapore and encouraged the staff who are dedicated to supporting Busan companies' expansion into the Singaporean market.

He also learned that Compose Coffee, a local company from Busan operating in Singapore, has been recognized as a representative success case of KOTRA Singapore's support for regional businesses. He visited Compose Coffee in Singapore to encourage its staff.

Deputy Mayor Lee Joonseung stated, "This year's World Cities Summit (WCS) was a meaningful opportunity to introduce our city's preparations and efforts to become a 'global hub city' comparable to Singapore to delegations from over 70 cities. It was also a chance to reaffirm that Busan has the capabilities and potential to become a global hub city."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.