'2025 Suwon ITS Asia-Pacific General Assembly' Commences with Grandeur

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] The '2025 Suwon ITS Asia-Pacific General Assembly,' a platform for international exchange and cooperation related to ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems), opened grandly on the 28th at Suwon Convention Center.

ITS is a transportation system that efficiently manages traffic information by utilizing advanced transportation technology, and enhances traffic efficiency and safety through scientized and automated operations.

The Suwon ITS Asia-Pacific General Assembly, jointly hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Suwon Special City, will be held until the 30th at Suwon Convention Center and throughout Suwon under the theme 'Hyper-Connected Cities by ITS.' It is an international cooperation platform where countries in the Asia-Pacific region exchange ITS-related public and private policies and technologies, and strengthen cooperation between nations and enterprises.

The Suwon ITS Asia-Pacific General Assembly is expected to see the participation of approximately 10,000 people, including experts from over 30 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, domestic ITS-related industry, academic, and research officials, and general citizens.

The opening ceremony held on the 28th at the Convention Hall of Suwon Convention Center proceeded with opening remarks by Ham Jin-gyu, president of Korea Expressway Corporation and chairman of the organizing committee of the Suwon ITS Asia-Pacific General Assembly, and welcoming remarks by Lee Jae-joon, Suwon Mayor and co-chairman of the assembly, and Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Park Sang-woo.

Mayor Lee said, "Suwon City introduced ITS through the efforts of the local government in 1997, the dawn of Korean ITS, by installing a signal control system and traffic information collection system," and "I hope that the knowledge and experience shared in Suwon, the ITS city, will become a precious foundation for opening a new future for ITS."

He further stated, "I hope that the 2025 Suwon ITS Asia-Pacific General Assembly will become a 'hyperconnected venue' where we encounter Suwon's history of ITS, and cities and nations across the Asia-Pacific region, as well as academia and industry, draw closer together."

A performance commemorating the 20th anniversary of the ITS Asia-Pacific General Assembly was held, along with a congratulatory performance featuring Gyeonggi Sinawi Orchestra and traditional Korean music artist Song So-hee.

In the afternoon, a high-level meeting will be held in Convention Hall 3 presided over by Minister Park Sang-woo. Vice ministers and officials from 11 countries in the Asia-Pacific region will attend to share each country's ITS status and discuss the importance of ITS in realizing future cities. A core message outlining ways to strengthen Asia-Pacific regional cooperation for digital transformation and presenting a shared vision is expected to be adopted.

Mayor Lee Jae-joon and Korea Expressway Corporation President Ham Jin-gyu plan to hold meetings with high-ranking officials from overseas governments and contractors, and lay the groundwork for sustainable exchange and cooperation.

At 6:30 PM on the 28th, a welcome reception will be held in the first-floor exhibition hall for paid registrants and others. At 7:30 PM, a drone art show boom-up busking will begin, and at 8:30 PM, a drone art show will unfold with Gwanggyo Lake Park as the backdrop.

At 6 PM on the 29th, an official farewell gala dinner will be held in Convention Hall 1+2. The closing ceremony will be held at 2 PM on the 30th. Highlights video screening and award ceremonies will follow. The three-day journey will conclude with an introduction of the next host location.

In addition to official events, the assembly will feature academic sessions, exhibitions, business consultation meetings, technical tours and demonstrations, and other programs. Various citizen participation programs such as drone art shows, busking performances, flea markets, and experience zones have been prepared to allow general citizens to participate in the assembly.

In the first-floor exhibition hall, domestic and international ITS-related institutions and companies will operate 175 exhibition booths and conduct various events. There will also be technology demonstrations including autonomous parking robots and future-type UAM (Urban Air Mobility) exhibitions.