The second edition of Expo City Dubai’s Cities in Action Forum concluded with the launch of significant partnerships and programs aimed at shaping the future of urban development.
The event sets the stage for the upcoming Asia Pacific Cities Summit & Mayors’ Forum (2025APCS), scheduled to take place from October 27-29, 2025.
The two-day forum gathered over 500 thought leaders, investors, and policymakers from the public and private sectors for discussions, keynote speeches, and workshops on sustainable urban living. Attendees explored Expo City Dubai as a model for innovative urban development and investment opportunities.
Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of International Cooperation and CEO of Expo City Dubai Authority, emphasized the city’s role in fostering collaboration and sustainable growth. She stated,
“Expo City Dubai was built to be a city that fosters collaboration, drives economic growth, and serves as a model for sustainable urban development. We will continue to lend our experiences and ambitions to the acceleration of real-world progress towards global goals.”
New Urban Development Framework and Strategic Partnerships
The forum saw the launch of the Expo City Dubai Urban Framework, a benchmarking tool for cities to assess themselves against over 30 international standards. This framework integrates metrics related to social value, SME inclusion, innovation, and global cooperation, helping cities conduct performance evaluations and drive strategic improvements.
The event also marked the official opening of registrations for the 2025APCS, which will be held in the Middle East for the first time in its 30-year history. The summit is expected to attract over 1,000 executives, entrepreneurs, and industry experts, alongside hundreds of city leaders and mayors. Additionally, Expo City Dubai will host the Sustainable Destinations Summit 2025, in collaboration with Green Destinations, to advance sustainable tourism strategies.
Strengthening Global Collaborations
Several key partnerships were formalized at the forum. Dubai Chambers and Emicool signed agreements with Expo City Dubai as Major Partner and Partner of 2025APCS, respectively. Other agreements were signed with AIM Congress, UN Habitat, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry - Dubai Branch (FICCI), and the Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI), reinforcing commitments to fostering trade and investment.
Expo City Dubai also signed an MoU with the Emirates Green Building Council to promote net-zero carbon construction practices, following its pre-certification under the LEED Cities and Communities and WELL Community standards.
A Strategic Hub for Dubai’s Future Growth
Strategically located between Al Maktoum International Airport, Jebel Ali Port, and Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai is positioned as a key driver of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33). Its free zone and business ecosystem offer unique opportunities for investors, developers, and future-focused residents.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
