Dubai has once again positioned itself as a dynamic hub for global innovation and collaboration, according to Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and CEO of Expo City Dubai Authority. Speaking during the opening address of the Asia-Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum, Al Hashimy emphasized the city’s evolving role as a living laboratory where urban leaders from around the world converge to share insights, tackle challenges, and exchange successful practices in building the cities of tomorrow.
Al Hashimy highlighted the significance of the summit being held for the first time in the Middle East—right in the heart of Expo City Dubai—under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council. This, she noted, reflects Dubai’s global reputation as a city that seamlessly integrates sustainability, innovation, and openness.
More Than a Celebration
“This summit is more than just a gathering; it goes to the core of what cities are meant to do—serve their people, adapt to pressures, and continue to deliver amid challenges,” Al Hashimy said. “We’re not here to pretend perfection, but to share both our successes and our failures, and to learn from each.”
Dubai’s Ongoing Journey
Reflecting on Dubai’s remarkable evolution, Al Hashimy described the city’s transformation from a modest coastal town into a thriving global crossroads. She attributed this progress to Dubai’s constant willingness to adopt new technologies, build strategic partnerships, and embrace fresh ideas. Curiosity, she said, has always been the city’s engine of growth.
This year’s summit, Al Hashimy noted, has drawn an unprecedented number of city leaders and mayors from across continents, each representing communities at different stages of development. Their participation enriches the dialogue around shared urban challenges and opens up avenues for practical, inclusive, and scalable solutions.
A Permanent Platform for Global Collaboration
Al Hashimy reaffirmed Expo City Dubai’s purpose as a long-term platform designed to foster ongoing global collaboration. The city, she explained, embodies the core values of sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity—and the summit reflects those very values by encouraging the development and testing of globally applicable solutions built on local insights.
