Event in MENA region for the first time
Dubai will host the Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum in October 2025, marking the first time the event will be held in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Scheduled for October 27-29 at Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai, the summit will bring together city leaders, policymakers, and business representatives from across the Asia Pacific region and beyond.
The forum, initially launched by the city of Brisbane, Australia, aims to facilitate dialogue on urban innovation, infrastructure, and economic development. The upcoming edition will focus on long-term urban growth strategies, with relevance to emerging challenges such as climate change, population shifts, and digital transformation.
The decision to hold the summit in Dubai reflects the emirate’s increasing engagement in international urban policy discussions. The UAE has positioned itself as a regional hub for innovation and infrastructure, making Dubai a strategic venue for cities looking to build partnerships across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
Officials expect participation from over 100 cities and a wide range of public and private stakeholders. Delegates are likely to discuss sustainable mobility, innovative city technologies, affordable housing, and green infrastructure. The programme includes keynote speeches, technical sessions, and mayoral roundtables, aimed at fostering cross-border cooperation and knowledge sharing between cities.
Dubai’s hosting of the summit comes as Arabian Gulf cities face growing pressure to adapt to economic diversification goals and environmental concerns. Urban planners across the region are increasingly focused on integrating renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and digital governance systems into long-term development frameworks.
Regional observers say the summit could offer Middle Eastern municipalities a rare opportunity to engage directly with Asian counterparts on shared urban issues. While the summit traditionally emphasises Asia Pacific perspectives, the inclusion of Dubai broadens the geographic scope and introduces new policy contexts from the Gulf.
Expo City Dubai, the site of the former Expo 2020, will host the event. Its legacy as a smart and sustainable urban zone is expected to play a prominent role in discussions. UAE officials are likely to showcase local initiatives in clean energy, smart mobility, and climate resilience.
The event also reflects shifting economic ties between the Middle East and Asia. Bilateral city partnerships and investment deals have previously emerged from past summits, and similar outcomes are anticipated in Dubai.
No list of speakers has been officially confirmed. However, the summit has historically attracted a mix of mayors, urban experts, and corporate executives involved in city-building industries.
Organisers have indicated that the upcoming edition of the summit will prioritise inclusivity and innovation, though details of session topics are still under development. Registration for the event is expected to open in the coming months.
Brisbane hosted the 2023 Asia Pacific Cities Summit & Mayors’ Forum.
Image: The 2025 edition of the Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS) and Mayors’ Forum takes place at Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai. Credit: Expo City Dubai
