THE 2022 Daejeon UCLG World Congress will be held at the Daejeon Convention Centre (DCC) area from October 10 to 14. In addition to the official meeting involving 2,500 cities from 110 countries, K-Pop concerts, World Citizen Festival, and Smart City Exhibitions will be held around the city.
With the ASPAC Networking Night on the first day, the official event will kick off with the Opening Ceremony on May 12. The Congress will continue until May 14, rounding off with the Closing Ceremony and Farewell Dinner. The Opening and Closing Ceremonies will be delivering a message of finding a breakthrough through Daejeon’s culture and science, as well as showcasing Samulnori (Farmer’s music), Taekwondo performance, and Daejeon Citizen Astronomy Children’s Choir.
While some of the key official meetings will be held in a hybrid format, some sessions will feature Agora format in open lobbies where participants can sit around the key speaker and join freely. This Congress especially emphasises carbon reduction by minimising the usage of paper; instead, it will highlight aspects of Daejeon, a science city, through utilising apps, media pole electronic displays, and mobile reactive websites.
While the official events are official meetings centred on municipalities and experts, affiliated events will be a festive occasion to showcase Daejeon where everyone can convene to enjoy. The affiliated events consist of some 32 events ranging from K-Pop concert, Welcome Festival, World Citizen Festival, and Smart City Exhibition that is to be held in DCC2 Exhibition Hall. Additionally, experiencing Daejeon is available throughout the Congress, which will allow participants to learn about the historical and cultural aspects of Daejeon.
Representing K-culture, the K-Pop concert will feature singer Psy, who played a key role in arousing the Korean wave. Also, in line are ‘Spider’, who is enjoying her fame with the recent hit from a drama soundtrack, and many other boy and girl groups. In addition, the five-day World Citizen Festival will feature a variety of performances and events prepared by various groups and the city, including the Municipal Performing Arts Group, media facades, and drone shows.
Moreover, participants will be able to visit the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, a national research institute that has led Korea to a global IT powerhouse. Another institute available for a tour is the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, a global aerospace institute that mainly focuses on aviation, unmanned vehicles, and satellites.
In particular, at the Smart City Exhibition, visitors can enjoy the following:
- Urban aviation mobility
- Hydrophilic smart cities
- Smart Medicare and digital
- Logistics and service robots
- Business consultation
- Smart technology forums healthcare
- Smart technology experience centre
Furthermore, Hydrogen Total Cycle Safety Support Centre and Sejong City Integration Centre are also available for industrial inspection. Hydrogen Total Cycle Safety Support Centre is the core of Korea’s hydrogen technology and the leading institute in implementing a net-zero city, while Sejong City Integration Centre serves as a control tower for smart cities.
Through historical, traditional, and cultural tours, participants will be able to experience the value of the traditional Eastern filial piety known as ‘Hyo’. At the Korea Institute of Hyo Culture Promotion, visitors can wear Korean traditional clothes, learn courtesy, and experience Korean culture at the same time.
Under the theme of, “A city where no one is left behind through science and technology”, the Daejeon Track consists of 14 sessions on four agendas:
- Science and City
- People and Science
- Environment and Science
- Administration and Science
Below are the sessions:
| Urban Innovation Led by Science and Technology | Water and Carbon Neutrality |
| Future Smart City Strategies for a Comfortable Daejeon | Diagnostics Technology and Pandemics |
| New Technology and Human Rights | The Future of Local Autonomy and Decentralisation Model in the Era of Digital Transformation |
| Care Policy and Smart Technologies | The Paradigm Shift of Local Government Innovation |
| Public Health Innovations for Better Services and Healthy Cities | Science, Technology, and the Future Local Governance Model |
| Urban Innovation Led by Science and Technology | Local Democracy and Policy Process Innovation |
| Education and Metaverse |
The Organising Committee has blocked 24 hotels in Daejeon including the Onoma Hotel, a five-star rated hotel, and has prepared 31 additional transportation measures from Incheon Airport to the venue. There will also be shuttle bus services that circulate around the venue and major areas for accommodations throughout the Congress period.
Daejeon looks forward to seeing all the members in person at the Congress, a festive occasion for people around the globe!
