[DAY1] 20 Nov, 09:00 - 10:00 (Grand Ballroom A+B)

The inaugural World Health City Forum (WHCF) jointly hosted by the Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor YOO Jeong Bok), Seoul National University (President Yoo Hong-rim), Ewha Womans University (President KIM Eun Mee), and Yonsei University (President Seung-hwan Seo), under the support by the World Health City Forum, officially opened on November 20, 2023 at Songdo Convensia in Incheon, South Korea.

The first World Health City Forum was held from November 20 (Mon) to November 22 (Wed), 2023, attracted over a total of 140 scholars, experts, government officials, and business leaders from more than 20 countries worldwide, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Cuba, India, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, and China, as well as international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Green Climate Fund (GCF). The forum featured over 50 sessions and special programs under the overall theme of “Globalization of Risk, How to Make the World Safer?”

The opening ceremony, held at 9 a.m. on the 20th, was attended by Incheon Mayor YOO Jeong Bok, who served as the Chairman of the forum, as well as co-organizers Yoo Hong-rim, President of Seoul National University; KIM Eun Mee, President of Ewha Womans University; Seo Seung-hwan, President of Yonsei University; and Henry Gonzalez, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), an international organization based in Incheon. Video messages conveying congratulations and support for the forum's opening were delivered by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO); BAN Ki-moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations; CHO Kyoo Hong, Minister of Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare; Hee-ryong WON, Minister of Korea Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport; and Kwang-jae LEE, Secretary-General of the National Assembly of South Korea.

Dr. JEE Youngmee, Commissioner of Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, delivered the opening keynote address, "Global Health 'Superhazard' Response in the Post-Pandemic Era," in which she emphasized the need for global health cooperation to respond to the threat of the next pandemic and ensure the safety of citizens and cities.

 Jeremy Rifkin, President of the Foundation on Economic Trends and author of several works including “The Third Industrial Revolution,” delivered the second keynote speech saying, "In 1908, when my father was born, 84% of life on Earth was wild and untouched by humans. Today, only 24% of wildlife remains, If we continue with the current development for another 20 years or so, all wildlife will disappear from the planet," he warned, adding, "We need to adapt to this planet, not try to make it fit us, and we can only move forward to a new 'healthy' era if we can accept all living things as part of our family as one species."

"Incheon has grown and developed as a representative gateway city between Korea and the rest of the world," said Incheon Mayor YOO Jeong Bok, who is serving as the forum chairman, in his opening remarks. "As a city with a world-class biomedical cluster and global governance bodies for climate response, such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF), we will announce to the world our status as a city leading the response to the pandemic and climate crisis that threatens humanity through the World Health City Forum and fulfill our responsibilities and roles accordingly."

"Incheon is Korea's first free economic zone, and Songdo, where the event will be held, is the country's premier international city," said KIM Jin Yong, Commissioner of Incheon Free Economic Zone, who has been leading the preparations for the forum as an organizing committee member. "We will support and nurture Songdo and the World Health Cities Forum to become a global platform that will undoubtedly lead the way in responding to the next pandemic and climate crisis."

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesys, Director-General of the WHO, delivered the first congratulatory remarks, expressed his gratitude to everyone who has worked with us to build stronger, fairer, and more resilient cities and societies.

Former UN Secretary-General BAN Ki-moon added : “I am delighted to observe once again that the ambitions of the World Health City Forum are in line with the spirit and principles of global health cities. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the organizers of the World Health City Forum.”

Next, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport WON Hee-ryong expressed his support, saying, "Through this platform, we will listen closely to the visions for a sustainable future for humanity and cities. My ministry and I will strive to ensure that your words translate into urban policies."

LEE Kwang-jae, Secretary General of the National Assembly, said, 'I hope that the Forum will be a place where wisdom, knowledge, and technology can come together to create urbanism that can pioneer a new era of civilization. The great advancement of humanity will be made by the people here. You are the protagonists," he said, expressing his excitement for the forum.

Hong-Thuy Paterson, COO/CFO of the Green Climate Fund, introduced the fund, stating, "As the world's largest climate fund, the Green Climate Fund supports climate ambitions for sustainable recovery in developing countries, encompassing health and welfare for the most vulnerable people on the planet. Recognizing the need, we have already begun direct investments in more health-related projects. We hope for ongoing collaboration with WHCF, closely associated with the Green Climate Fund," expressing his commitment to working with the forum.