WORLD CITIES SUMMIT 2018 FOCUSES ON FUTURE-READY CITIES: CELEBRATES LIVEABLE, SUSTAINABLE CITIES; EMBRACES TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION

Singapore, 5 July 2018 – The 6^th edition of the biennial World Cities Summit (“WCS” or “the Summit”), the leading global platform to drive and connect innovators in sustainable integrated urban solutions, is returning this year from 8 to 12 July at Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre. The event will be graced by government, city, and industry leaders as well as leading experts who will gather in Singapore to share learnings and address challenges and innovations for future-ready cities.

This year, WCS goes beyond the themes of urban governance and liveable cities, to embracing the future of cities through technology, innovation and collaboration. Themed “Liveable and Sustainable Cities: Embracing the Future through Innovation and Collaboration”, the Summit will address the challenges in liveable and sustainable cities, showcase integrated urban solutions and forge new partnership opportunities. The Summit will play host to prominent high-level audiences, including Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies, Singapore, Mr Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister, Sri Lanka, Ms Kristalina Georgieva, Chief Executive Officer, The World Bank Group, and Ms Stephanie Von Friedeburg, Chief Operating Officer, International Finance Corporation.

Mr Khoo Teng Chye, Executive Director, Centre for Liveable Cities, said, “The World Cities Summit has turned out to be an international success story. We are honoured to usher in a coveted edition of World Cities Summit, which coincides with the 10^th anniversary of Centre for Liveable Cities. WCS 2018 has exceeded even the most optimistic expectations in terms of city delegations, business groups, opinion leaders and city-makers. This year, we will be welcoming a record number of over 150 mayors and city leaders, the largest congregation of mayors and city leaders in WCS’s history. In addition, in line with Singapore holding the ASEAN Chairmanship for 2018, we will host a number of ASEAN events. There will also be a platform for start-ups to pitch innovations, which promises an enriching experience for attendees and exhibitors alike.”

“Together with the two co-located events, Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) and CleanEnviro Summit Singapore (CESS), the integrated event under the banner of WCS-SIWW-CESS is truly unique. Not only is it one of the biggest of its kind globally, it is also one of the most visited exhibition showcases on urban sustainability, bringing together three major global themes on one international platform for collaboration among key city stakeholders, multi-sector industry heavyweights, think-tanks and the public to share common urban challenges, solutions and best practices, business networking opportunities and provide leadership on urban governance. This year, there will also be 1,100 companies and 25 country pavilions featured at City Solutions Singapore, the integrated expo for WCS-SIWW-CESS,” Mr Khoo added.

Programme highlights include:

• City Solutions Singapore (CSS) 2018

One of the few of its kind worldwide covering broad topics of modern cities in an integrated manner, City Solutions Singapore is a global platform featuring country and themed pavilions that showcase new and cutting-edge solutions for smart nations and urban environments.

The 2018 edition will comprise four overarching themes – Water Expo, Cities, Environment, and for the first time Transport. With over 1,100 companies and 25 country pavilions in attendance, CSS 2018 promises tremendous synergy for exhibitors and visitors alike, and aims to exceed the achievement of 21,000 attendees, over 120 cities, 1,000 companies and S$18.7 billion worth of business partnerships announced in 2016.

Noteworthy pavilions at the Cities exhibition include the Singapore Government Pavilion, which showcases the shared vision and collaboration in this multi-agency effort. The pavilion’s seamless design symbolises the spirit of innovation, strategic planning and collaboration – values which are fundamental to Singapore’s push for a high quality of life, competitive economy and sustainable environment.

• Co-located events at WCS

These include: the Singapore International Transport Congress and Exhibition, which will run parallel to WCS featuring in-depth knowledge exchanges on transport solutions with a focus on digital technologies. Springer Nature’s inaugural Science and the Sustainable City Summit, which is part of Springer Nature’s Grand Challenges initiative that aims to help develop solutions to complex global problems, by connecting scientific research with individuals and organisations that can apply it practically. The ASEAN Smart Cities Network, a collaborative platform where ASEAN Member States work towards the common goal of smart and sustainable urban development using technology to improve people's lives, will hold their inaugural meeting to officially launch the network during WCS.

• Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize for Water and Cities lectures and forum (9 July)

As part of Singapore’s global knowledge-sharing and championing of innovative solutions for sustainable urban communities, the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize for Water and Cities lectures will feature this year’s laureates. The City Prize was awarded to Seoul for its transformation from a bureaucratic city to an inclusive, socially stable and highly innovative city. The laureates, including Mayor Park Won Soon representing the winning city of Seoul, will be giving lectures on their respective successes. The City Prize will also celebrate at the lecture and forum the Special Mention Cities of Hamburg, Kazan, Surabaya and Tokyo for achievements in the four key pillars of quality urban life – liveability, sustainability, vibrancy and quality of life.

• Tracks, Forums and Plenary (10 July)

A series of high level sessions which provide strategic insights from leaders on the interplay of leadership and governance, and the latest debate on liveability and sustainability. The four thematic tracks for 2018 are Urban Governance, Planning, Resilience, and Innovation, with a focus on major questions of financing cities, ensuring inclusivity in planning, governance for disruptive innovations, and building resilient cities.

WCS 2018: New additions to look out for

In addition to the key mainstay events, the following new programme highlights have been incorporated into WCS 2018:

• 6^th Meeting of Governors and Mayors of ASEAN Capitals (7 July)

Chaired by Mayor Low Yen Ling, the 6^th Meeting of Governors and Mayors of ASEAN Capitals (MGMAC) brings together governors and mayors of all the capital cities in ASEAN to discuss a broad range of topics pertaining to the growth and development of cities.

• 4^th ASEAN Mayors Forum (7 July)

Singapore will host 50 mayors and governors at the ASEAN Mayors Forum, a platform for local governments in the region to work towards developing a network of smart and sustainable cities and regions. In line with the theme of the forum, “Smart and Sustainable Development for the ASEAN Community”, the forum will have particular emphasis on the ASEAN Connectivity Blueprint.

• City Innovators: Pitch Perfect – Bringing Your Innovation to the World Arena (10 July)

A new pop-up platform for start-ups to pitch their latest innovative technologies and solutions to over 3,000 delegates, industry leaders and potential investors, City Innovators will culminate with a networking opportunity at Industry Night at City Solutions Singapore Expo.

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About the World Cities Summit

The World Cities Summit is the exclusive and premier platform for government leaders and industry experts to address liveable and sustainable city challenges, share integrated urban solutions and forge high-level partnerships. Themed "Liveable and Sustainable Cities: Embracing the Future through Innovation and Collaboration", the 6^th edition of the WCS seeks to explore how cities can embrace the future through innovation and collaboration. Through shared vision and social innovations, the public and private sectors including communities can co-create innovative and integrated urban solutions for the future. Jointly organised by Singapore’s Centre for Liveable Cities and Urban Redevelopment Authority, key highlights of the Summit include the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize and the Mayors Forum. For more information, visit www.worldcitiesummit.com.sg

Media Contacts:

Jean Zhuang

Hill+Knowlton Strategies

Mobile: +65 9061 1075

Email: jean.zhuang@hkstrategies.com

Rayner Lee

Hill+Knowlton Strategies

Mobile: +65 9672 7582

Email: rayner.lee@hkstrategies.com

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