Busan is good

Busan Becomes First Asian City Elected to the AIVP Board, Showcasing Its Global Ocean Hub Capabilities at the 2025 World Conference

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Busan Metropolitan City Announced That Mayor Park Heong-joon Was Unanimously Elected as a Board Member City at the 2025 AIVP General Assembly Held in New York on November 18

The Association Internationale Villes & Ports (AIVP), established in 1988, is an international association composed of 197 members across 44 countries, including local governments, port authorities, and experts. Its mission is to promote international exchange and cooperation among port cities.

The 2025 AIVP World Conference is taking place in New York from November 18 to 21, during which the Busan delegation is participating actively to highlight Busan’s capabilities as a global ocean hub city.

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Busan Elevates Its Status as a Global Ocean Hub City Through Its Entry Into the AIVP Board

This achievement not only enhances Busan’s international standing but also provides the City with the authority and influence to lead global shipping and port initiatives in collaboration with major port cities around the world.

The Board Member term is three years and may be renewed once. Its key functions include proposing and deliberating core agenda items, forming the Executive Committee, selecting host cities for the General Assembly, reviewing joint agenda projects, and approving annual budgets and financial statements.

As the first Asian member institution to join the AIVP Board, Busan’s entry holds significant meaning, marking the first time an Asian city has taken part in global port city governance largely driven by Europe, the Americas, and Africa.

Through hosting prominent international events such as the FIATA World Congress and the Our Ocean Conference, Busan has strengthened its global brand. Additionally, Mayor Park’s announcement in August of Busan’s vision and strategies as a global ocean hub city left a strong impression on the AIVP Secretariat and its member institutions—further contributing to this successful outcome.

With this Board membership, Busan now holds voting rights in selecting future host cities and decision-making authority in major agenda matters, bringing the City one step closer to hosting the 2027 AIVP World Conference. This development is expected to serve as a catalyst for advancing Busan’s vision and strategies as a global ocean hub city and for expanding international cooperation.

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Busan to Conduct Full-Scale Outreach Activities for Hosting the 2027 AIVP World Conference

Beginning on November 19, Busan will begin full-fledged negotiations to host the 2027 AIVP World Conference.

On the morning of November 19, Busan will participate in the High-Level Roundtable titled “Ports-City Interface: The Place Where Economic, Environmental, and Social Challenges Meet,” featuring speakers including Jin-woo Lee, Director of Port and Shipping Division of the City of Busan; Maria Rosario Soto Rico, Head of Almería Port Authority (Spain); and Olga Farman, Chair of Québec Port Authority.

On the afternoon of November 19 at 1:30 p.m., Busan will hold a meeting with Maurice Georges, President of the Port of Dunkirk, and Daniel Deschodt, Deputy President, to hear insights on hosting the 2026 edition and to discuss cooperation in areas such as smart ports and low-carbon transition.

On the afternoon of November 19 at 7:40 p.m., Busan will meet Roger Victor MBASSA NDINE, Mayor of Douala—the AIVP Board Member City—to request support for hosting the 2027 conference and to explore areas of bilateral cooperation as the representative port city of Cameroon.

On November 20 at 3:00 p.m., Busan will meet with AIVP President Édouard Philippe, Mayor of Le Havre and former Prime Minister of France, to deliver Mayor Park’s letter of intent and emphasize the City’s commitment and capabilities for hosting the 2027 conference.

Throughout the General Assembly, the delegation will also meet with various representatives from member institutions to exchange views on global maritime and port trends, discuss opportunities for cooperation, and actively promote Busan’s bid to host the 2027 event.

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Mayor Park Heong-joon’s Remarks

Mayor Park stated that this accomplishment serves as “a symbolic example of how Busan’s vision and strategies as a global ocean hub city are translating into tangible results on the international stage.” He added that, as the first Asian Board Member City, Busan will “take the lead as a first penguin in opening the door for Asian port cities to enter the global exchange network dominated by Europe, the Americas, and Africa.”

He emphasized that the City will not stop at the achievement of Board membership, but will “continue making every effort to successfully bring the 2027 conference to Busan and, in the long run, establish the AIVP Asian Headquarters in Busan.”