2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit & Mayors’ Forum

Collaborate. Inspire. Transform.

At Expo City Dubai, we are shaping the future of cities. Join us for the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit (2025APCS) and Mayors’ Forum — one of the most diverse convenings of mayors, city leaders, business executives and young professionals worldwide. 

Open to all regions and continents, and an initiative of Brisbane City Council, 2025APCS will deliver long-term value for cities and businesses seeking trade and investment opportunities in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and beyond.

2025APCS will take place at the Dubai Exhibition Centre from 27 to 29 October 2025.

First time in the MEASA region

2025APCS, hosted by Expo City Dubai, marks the first time the event will be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, presenting a unique opportunity to access international markets and unlock new global trade networks.

Driven by Dubai

We are enabling cities and businesses to leverage Dubai’s unique position as a convenor and catalyst for global economic opportunities

Nearly 30 years of impact

Welcoming more than 600 alumni cities to date, APCS powers economic growth across cities and continents and drives deeper collaboration between mayors, policy makers, business leaders, innovators and young professionals.

Find your place at 2025APCS

Call for speakers

Sponsorship opportunities

Mayors' Forum &
Mayors' Accord

Group bookings

City Leaders' Forum

Young Professionals' Forum

Exhibition opportunities

Find your place at 2025APCS

The host city of 2025APCS

Expo City Dubai is the new centre of Dubai's Future

A fully integrated city and one of five hubs on the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, Expo City Dubai connects businesses, governments, organisations, residents and visitors to global opportunities for driving economic progress and ensuring a more sustainable future for all. Born of international cooperation, Expo City Dubai is the legacy of Expo 2020 Dubai, which welcomed 24 million visitors and hosted 200 national and international pavilions. Expo City also hosted COP28 and was the platform for the UAE Consensus for global climate action.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What is the Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS) & Mayors' Forum?

APCS is one of the region’s largest and most diverse convenings of mayors, city leaders, thinkers and makers. The event has been welcoming city leaders, future makers and trailblazers for almost 30 years, creating an unmatched platform to share and propel government and business relations and showcase the capabilities of cities to the world. Hosted on a biennial basis by Brisbane City Council, more than 600 cities have so far been represented at APCS. The event is an unsurpassed opportunity for city and business leaders to connect and share their urban agenda, with the 2023 event attracting almost 1,200 delegates including 171 cities and 118 mayors, deputy mayors and equivalents.

Registration is now open for 2025APCS. Secure your delegate pass here, including for super early bird discounts.

A list of partner hotels will be provided to delegates, offering bookings at negotiated rates. Delegates are also invited to make their own bookings at the hotel of their choosing. We also advise that you keep checking in for special offers on flights with our airline partners (tba).

The overarching theme of 2025APCS is Collaborate. Inspire. Transform.

The three sub-themes are:

1. Centres of Connection
The pivotal role of transportation networks, digital infrastructure and community spaces in driving economic opportunity and bridging geographic and demographic divides in cities

2. Centres of Solutions
How urban innovation can drive transformative change through scalable and adaptable solutions that balance technological advancement with community empowerment

3. Centres of Resilience
Fortifying cities against climate impacts, natural disasters and economic instability, and creating urban environments that empower communities to thrive in the face of change

We invite you to express interest in becoming a 2025APCS sponsor here. You can find out about exhibiting at the 2025APCS Market Square here.