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News & Updates

About

The 40th Anniversary Metropolis Seoul World Congress

The 40th Anniversary Metropolis Seoul World Congress invites you to reimagine the future of metropolises. In an increasingly complex global scenario, cities and metropolitan spaces are vital to address the shared challenges of present and future generations.

Seoul, a city known for its innovative and forward-thinking character, will be the scenario of a commemoration of four decades of collaboration.
And we will be looking not at the past but at the future of cities, envisioning the possibilities of metropolitan action.

This extraordinary congress will offer high-level discussions, technical visits, and cultural presentations: an exceptional opportunity for exchange, networking and visibility.

Join us from September 29 to October 1, 2025.

Schedule at a Glance

Time
Sep.29(Mon)
Sep.30(Thu)
Oct.1(Wed)
09:00-10:00

MITI Sharing Forum

Urban Solutions Spotlight

Golbal Cities Foresight Workshop

10:00-11:30

Metropolis Board of Directors Meeting

MeTTA Congress

DDP to COEX

Site Visit 2

11:30-12:00

Networking Lunch

12:00-13:30

Networking Lunch

Joint Program with Smart Life Week

Closing Lunch

13:30-14:00
14:00-15:00

Opening

15:30-16:00
16:00-17:30

Megacities Summit

Urban Solutions Spotlight

Global Cities Foresight Workshop

17:30-18:00
18:00-20:30

Gala Dinner

SLW Official Dinner

Program

  • Sunday, 28 September

    • Arrival & Transfers

      Participants arrive and transfer to hotels.

    • TBD

      TBD

  • Monday, 29 September – Day 1

    • Official Congress Opening: Metropolitan Futures

      Global metropolitan leaders gather to hear keynote speakers introduce the Congress' key themes and outline the challenges that bring cities together.

    • September 29, 14:00 PM-15:00 PM

      DDP Art Hall 1

    • Name

      Position

      Affiliation

      Name

      Position

      Affiliation

      Name

      Position

      Affiliation

    • Urban Solutions Spotlight: Showcasing Metropolitan Innovations

      Mayors and city representatives reveal their most innovative urban solutions to a global and local audience of urban leaders, practitioners, and experts.

    • September 29, 16:00 PM-17:30 PM

      DDP Conference Hall

    • Name

      Position

      Affiliation

      Name

      Position

      Affiliation

      Name

      Position

      Affiliation

    • Metropolis 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner

      A global celebration of four decades of exchange and collaboration among the world’s major metropolises, featuring:

      • Anniversary Ceremony
      • Announcement of the Pattis Family Foundation Global Cities Book Award
      • Cultural Program

    • September 29, 18:00 PM-20:30 PM

      Shilla Hotel

    • Additional On-Site Activities:

        • Metropolis Board of Directors Meeting

          The annual in-person meeting of Metropolis' highest governing body, open to Board members, invited guests, and observers.

        • Second Megacities Summit

          Building on the 2023 edition in Istanbul, mayors from the world's megacities (10M+ population) convene to explore future scenarios that leave no one behind.

        • Global Cities Foresight Workshop

          Foresight experts convene to explore future scenarios for large cities and metropolitan areas.

  • Tuesday, 30 September – Day 2

    • MITI Sharing Forum

      Commemorating a decade of capacity-building activities by the Seoul-based Metropolis International Training Institute, new training initiatives will be presented for civil servants to develop future-proof cities.

    • September 30, 09:30 AM-10:30 AM

      DDP Art Hall 1

    • Name

      Position

      Affiliation

      Name

      Position

      Affiliation

      Name

      Position

      Affiliation

    • Urban Solutions Spotlight: Showcasing Metropolitan Innovations

      A continuation of city-led presentations on groundbreaking urban solutions.

    • September 30, 09:00 AM-18:00 PM

    • Name

      Position

      Affiliation

      Name

      Position

      Affiliation

      Name

      Position

      Affiliation

    • Joint Program with Seoul Smart Life Week

      Under the theme, Seoul Smart Life Week highlights Seoul’s cutting-edge innovations, offering Congress participants access to exclusive sessions and activities.

    • September 30, 13:00 PM-18:00 PM

    • SLW Official Dinner

    • September 30, 19:00 PM-20:30 PM

      The Westin Seoul Parnas

    • Additional On-Site Activities:

        • Global Cities Foresight Workshop

          Foresight experts convene to explore future scenarios for large cities and metropolitan areas

  • Wednesday, 1 October – Day 3

    • Site Visits: Seoul’s Leading Urban Innovations

      Participants choose from various guided visits showcasing Seoul’s latest urban projects, along with the opportunity to attend:

    • Radically More Human

      The 5th Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism

      Seoul, Green Soul

      The Seoul International Garden Show

    • Closing Plenary: A Vision for the Future

      The final plenary session brings together insights from the Congress, reinforcing Metropolis’ renewed commitment to foresight and innovation in its 40th year.

Who's Coming

Oh Se-Hoon

Mayor of Seoul, Republic of Korea

Fatiha El Moudni

Mayor of Rabat, Morocco President of Metropolis

Jordi Vaquer

Secretary General, Metropolis

Dada Morero

Mayor of Johannesburg, South Africa

TBD

TBD

TBD

TBD

Arrival & Transfers

Participants arrive and transfer to hotels.

Official Congress Opening: Metropolitan Futures

Global metropolitan leaders gather to hear keynote speakers introduce the Congress' key themes and outline the challenges that bring cities together.

Speakers

Name

Position

Affiliation

Name

Position

Affiliation

Name

Position

Affiliation

Name

Position

Affiliation

Name

Position

Affiliation

Urban Solutions Spotlight: Showcasing Metropolitan Innovations

Mayors and city representatives reveal their most innovative urban solutions to a global and local audience of urban leaders, practitioners, and experts.

Speakers

Name

Position

Affiliation

Name

Position

Affiliation

Name

Position

Affiliation

Name

Position

Affiliation

Name

Position

Affiliation

Metropolis 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner

A global celebration of four decades of exchange and collaboration among the world’s major metropolises, featuring:

  • Anniversary Ceremony
  • Announcement of the Pattis Family Foundation Global Cities Book Award
  • Cultural Program

MITI Sharing Forum

Commemorating a decade of capacity-building activities by the Seoul-based Metropolis International Training Institute, new training initiatives will be presented for civil servants to develop future-proof cities.

Speakers

Name

Position

Affiliation

Name

Position

Affiliation

Name

Position

Affiliation

Name

Position

Affiliation

Name

Position

Affiliation

Urban Solutions Spotlight: Showcasing Metropolitan Innovations

A continuation of city-led presentations on groundbreaking urban solutions.

Speakers

Name

Position

Affiliation

Name

Position

Affiliation

Name

Position

Affiliation

Name

Position

Affiliation

Name

Position

Affiliation

Joint Program with Seoul Smart Life Week

Under the theme, Seoul Smart Life Week highlights Seoul’s cutting-edge innovations, offering Congress participants access to exclusive sessions and activities.

SLW Official Dinner

Site Visits: Seoul’s Leading Urban Innovations

Participants choose from various guided visits showcasing Seoul’s latest urban projects, along with the opportunity to attend:

Radically More Human

The 5th Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism

Seoul, Green Soul

The Seoul International Garden Show

Closing Plenary: A Vision for the Future

The final plenary session brings together insights from the Congress, reinforcing Metropolis’ renewed commitment to foresight and innovation in its 40th year.

Venue

Information

Address

281, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, 04566, Republic of Korea

Website https://ddp.or.kr/?menuno=380

About Seoul

Seoul seamlessly integrates its rapidly evolving cultural landscape with a deep historical legacy. As a global city, Seoul exemplifies the coexistence of tradition and innovation, where centuries-old palaces once walked by Joseon kings stand alongside cutting-edge skyscrapers. As a dynamic political, economic, and cultural hub, Seoul attracts leaders, policymakers, and visitors from around the world. Its rich history, diverse cultural offerings, and global connectivity make it a key player on the international stage.

DDP

Dongdaemun

Bukchon Hanok Village

Cheonggyecheon

Hotel Information

Accommodation Information

Accommodation for Heads of Delegation (HoD) will be arranged by the Secretariat. No separate reservation is required. All other participants are kindly requested to make their own hotel arrangements at their own expense. Please refer to the reservation links below for booking.
*For Ninetree and Ramada hotels, please complete the reservation form and email it directly to the hotel.

Kindly note: The Secretariat will not be able to assist with any issues related to individual bookings, including no-shows or disputes with the hotel.

Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotels & Residences
+82 2-3425-8000
238 Euljiro, Jung Gu, 04561 SEOUL, South Korea
651m from DDP
Check In: 15:00 / Check Out: 12:00
Superior Double | 286,000 KRW
(Special rate, breakfast included)
NINE TREE BY PARNAS SEOUL DONGDAEMUN
+82 2-6967-0999
224, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, Korea
556m from DDP
Check In 15:00 / Check Out 12:00
Standard Double | 148,500 KRW
(Special rate, breakfast included)
Ramada by Wyndham Seoul Dongdaemun
+82 2-2276-3500
354 Dongho-ro, Seoul, 100195
686m from DDP
Check In 15:00 / Check Out 12:00
Standard Double | 166,000 KRW
(Special rate, breakfast included)

Seoul Smart Life Week

Dates

September 30 - October 2

Theme

AI for Going together with the Socially Neglected

Smart Life Week (SLW) is a global platform for sharing the latest technology trends, exchanging innovative ideas, and experiencing Seoul’s vision of a smart city, where cutting-edge solutions are seamlessly integrated into daily life.

A variety of key events will take place throughout the week, including the Seoul Smart City Prize Ceremony, forums, exhibitions, and networking opportunities.

Cities interested in applying for the Seoul Smart City Prize can find more information here:

Contact

Metropolis 40th Anniversary
SEOUL CONGRESS 2025

Secretariat

seoul2025.metropolis@gmail.com
+82-2-550-2526

Registration

Personal Information

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Flight information

IMPORTANT: Please only complete the details of the flights that have already been purchased.
If your flights / hotel costs are covered by the organization, please confirm with Metropolis prior to providing flight/accommodation details below.
If you require any assistance, you may contact seoul2025.metropolis@gmail.com

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※ Please note that the organizer does not provide Visa assistance. You may consult the South Korean embassy or consulate in your country of residence as to whether or not you need a visa to enter South Korea. You may also wish to use the following link, and access official page of Korea Visa Portal for further information https://www.visa.go.kr/

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Kindly note that there will be a shuttle service provided back and forth from the Incheon International Airport to Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotel.

Airport transfer service required?

※ Ground transportation will be provided according to the head of delegation's (or speaker's) flight schedule. For accompanying staff, transportation will be provided only if traveling with the head of delegation.

Please note that transportation will be only provided from September 27th to October 2nd.

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Accommodation

Please consider that only one head of delegation for each member of the Metropolis, and speakers/panellists in Metropolis sessions are entitled to 3 nights of complimentary accommodation at Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotel.

If you fulfil the abovementioned criteria, please write your dates of check-in and check out ( Please indicate the date between September 28th and 1st October.).

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Note

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In case you are not entitled to complimentary accommodation by the organizers but would like to book the same hotel as the head of delegation at your own cost, please get in touch with [seoul2025.metropolis@gmail.com]. Also, we will share a list of recommended hotels nearby in due time for those making reservations on their own.

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*if you have forgotten your password, please contact our secretariat (seoul2025.metropolis@gmail.com)"