7th UCLG Congress in Daejeon

I am pleased to announce that the 7th United Cities & Local Governments (UCLG) Congress will be held in Daejeon from Oct. 10 to 14. This Congress is very special as it is the first Congress since the outbreak of Covid-19.

Lee Jang-woo

The author is mayor of Daejeon Metropolitan City. I am pleased to announce that the 7th United Cities & Local Governments (UCLG) Congress will be held in Daejeon from Oct. 10 to 14. This Congress is very special as it is the first Congress since the outbreak of Covid-19.

Located in the center of Korea, Daejeon Metropolitan City has led the development of science and technology through its excellent scientific infrastructure. As a science city, “Daedeok Innopolis,” formerly known as “Daedeok Science Town,” is located in Daejeon, which is known as the Silicon Valley of Korea and is home to over 70 government-funded research institutes. Daejeon has a convention center that can accommodate 3,000 people at a time and the best MICE infrastructure in Korea, including a shopping mall with department stores and hotels, as well as a cultural and arts complex, which makes Daejeon the place best suited for the congress.

Today, cities around the world are facing many challenges. People are suffering from infectious diseases and natural disasters due to climate change, wars, disparities caused by economic and social inequality, not to mention poor quality of life. First of all, I would like to express my sincerest condolences to those who are going through difficult times. I believe that it is time to find ways to overcome these difficulties and focus on solidarity and cooperation with the world community.

Against this backdrop, we hope that many commitments and agreements will be made between cities under the theme of “Local and Regional Governments Breaking Through as One.” This will be a historic Congress aimed at seeking new breakthroughs for the prosperity and development of all. As a responsible member of the world community, Daejeon plans to discuss the essentials of the congress, people, the planet, and government based on Korea’s scientific achievements for the sustainable development of cities, and share advanced democracy, local autonomy and systematic public administration systems.

In addition to the congress, we also have prepared festivals in which citizens from all over the world can participate. You can experience the Korean wave Hallyu — with K-pop and K-food — which are now famous all over the world. The 7th UCLG Congress will not simply be a gathering, but a global celebration with the whole world. I believe that this event will change the direction of the future congress.

As mayor of the host city, I am truly honored that we can discuss global issues in Daejeon. At the same time, I feel a great responsibility as this one will be different from the six previous congresses. Daejeon has made every effort to make this event a fruitful and special occasion where people can discuss global issues beyond the boundaries of cities and nations. Over the past three years, citizens of the world have made great efforts to fight Covid-19. I would like to invite all of you to our congress as you have gone through these tough times.

I look forward to seeing you at the 2022 Daejeon UCLG World Congress in October.