The Incheon Free Economic Zone and the World Health City Forum Organizing Committee are ramping up preparations for the 1st World Health City Forum (WHCF), which will be held at Songdo ConvensiA in Incheon from Nov. 20 to 22.
On Oct. 4, a press briefing was held at the Oakwood Premier Incheon in Songdo International City.
This iteration of the World Health City Forum will focus on the theme “Globalization of Risks, How to Make the World Safer?” and is hosted by Incheon Metropolitan City, Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Ewha Womans University, with support from the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebryesus are slated to give keynote speeches at the opening ceremony. Moreover, global leaders in health care and climate change, including Jeremy Rifkin, are expected to attend in large numbers.
The forum aims to lead and promote a future model of healthy cities and communities through consistent and varied efforts, such as the establishment of Smart Health City Standards and hosting the Korea-ASEAN Smart Health City Summit.
Specifically, sessions will be held on healthcare, smart cities, and sustainability, where domestic and international experts will share the latest insights. Furthermore, comprehensive interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral collaborations will be fostered through roundtable discussions by specialists.
Kim Jin-yong, chief of the Incheon Free Economic Zone, who is overseeing the event, expressed his excitement, saying, “I am thrilled to host the first World Health City Forum in Songdo, Incheon, which is emerging as a true global bio hub. This international event will position Incheon as a leading city in healthcare.”
Mayor of Incheon Yoo Jeong-bok emphasized in his remarks, “Just as Davos, Switzerland symbolizes the World Economic Forum, Songdo, Incheon will symbolize the World Health City Forum.”