While the United Nations World Urban Forum (WUF) is scheduled to take place in November 2024, another regional event will be held a few months beforehand. This is the World Cities Summit, organised by the Singapore government from 2 to 4 June 2024 against a backdrop of political transition. The event will bring together local elected representatives and political decision-makers from every continent on this dynamic island of just under 5 million inhabitants.
Singapore is changing Prime Minister for the first time in twenty years. Lee Hsien Loong stepped down and handed over power to his deputy Lawrence Wong. This political transition, which would have slowed down the financial market elsewhere in the West or in Africa, is nothing out of the ordinary in the city-state renowned for its calm and economic dynamism. In fact, according to the British magazine The Economist, it is the best destination for business.
As proof of this, the South-East Asian country is in the midst of organising the World Cities Summit (WCS), which it is hosting from 2 to 4 June 2024. On the menu for the ninth edition will be the International Mayors’ Forum, the Symposium of Young Leaders of the World and the presentation of the Lee Kuan Yew Prize (named after Singapore’s founding father), one of the highest distinctions for sustainable urban planning.
“The World City Summit, which takes place every two years, is a platform for government leaders and industry experts to address the challenges of a liveable and sustainable metropolis, share integrated urban solutions and forge new partnerships. Since 2008, the event has seen the participation of more than 250 territories represented by local elected officials, business leaders and international organisations”, says the Singapore government, which will be taking advantage of the opportunity to showcase its luxurious buildings and artificial greenery.
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But the status of the region’s most unequal country and the rising water levels in the capital, Singapore, are a disappointment for city dwellers. This reality will be addressed during the three days of discussions. The round table entitled “How are cities adapting and thriving in an era of climate emergency? will provide an overview of the measures in place and the work in progress to build resilience in cities across the globe.
For more information on the event, click here.
Benoit-Ivan Wansi
