2023APCS Highlights

2023APCS & Mayors' Forum

2023APCS & Mayors’ Forum – “Shaping cities for our future”

Brisbane proudly hosted the 2023 Asia Pacific Cities Summit (2023APCS) & Mayors' Forum from 11 to 13 October. This year’s Summit focussed on “Shaping cities for our future” and welcomed almost 1,200 delegates from a record-breaking 171 cities, including 118 Mayors and Deputy Mayors.

Throughout the Summit delegates made new business connections and engaged in meaningful conversations around cities of sustainability, connection and legacy. World-class speakers including award-winning author and urbanist Charles Montgomery, President of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee Andrew N. Liveris AO, world champion debater Bo Seo and Executive Chairman of Visy Anthony Pratt brought these themes to life as our keynote speakers.

Highlights of the 2023APCS included:

In keeping with our sub-theme of Cities of Sustainability the Lord Mayor of Brisbane Councillor Adrian Schrinner announced that Brisbane has become the second city globally and first city in Australia to be awarded Gold Status under the UN-Habitat’s SDGs Cities Global Initiative.
The Mayors’ Forum, facilitated by the Milken Institute, was a special gathering specifically for mayors which included our largest number of representatives yet. One of the many outcomes of this time together was the Mayors’ Accord, which summarised the strategic objectives of this gathering as well as learnings, insights and solutions related to the future of urban governance as discussed.
Delegates were able to join an exclusive tour of Victoria Park (Barrambin) to see one of Brisbane’s most exciting transformative projects for themselves; including presentations from those directly involved in the development, a Q&A session and a guided walking tour of the park.
The City Leaders’ Forum, powered by KPMG, was an opportunity for city leaders and senior government executives to network with their peers and together come up with creative solutions to city-based issues. For the first time a white paper will be produced as a result of this gathering focussed on “Cities of Value”.

2023APCS in numbers:

1,158 Delegates
171 Cities (52 Australian / 119 International)
118 Mayors (49 Australian / 69 International)
140 Young Professionals
180 Speakers & Facilitators
78 Exhibitors
40 APCS Partners

Program: 2023APCS Program Handbook

Official 2023APCS photos: APCS Flickr album

For the list of cities who attended the 2023APCS, click here.
For the list of speakers who participated in the 2023APCS, view the Program Handbook.
For the list of exhibitors who participated in the 2023APCS, click here.
For the list of partners who participated in the 2023APCS, click here.

Hear from 2023APCS delegates: Testimonials