Supporting Afforestation in Mongolia for 17 Years and Establishing Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
Projects Combining Economic Growth and Climate Resilience Receive High Praise
Incheon City has become the first in Korea to receive the "UN Global Sustainable Development City Award." This award, jointly established in 2023 by UN-Habitat and the city of Shanghai, China, is presented to cities that have achieved outstanding results in sustainable urban development.
On October 31 (local time), Incheon City was honored with the award at the "2025 World Cities Day" ceremony held in Bogota, Colombia, after being selected through a final review among 85 participating cities. The city was recognized for its achievements in projects that combine economic growth with climate resilience.
Incheon City received high praise for its efforts to build an inclusive city, particularly for supplying "1,000 Won Housing" for vulnerable groups and establishing an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS).
The "1,000 Won Housing," with a daily rent of 1,000 won, is a proactive public rental policy aimed at addressing Korea's low birthrate issue. It is planned to supply around 1,000 units annually. This year, 500 units were offered, attracting significant attention with a high competition rate of 7.36 to 1.
Through the implementation of ITS, the city has improved the operational efficiency of its traffic information center and integrated the management of public transportation information, thereby addressing traffic issues across the city and creating a more convenient environment for citizens to travel.
Hwang Hyojin, Executive Vice Mayor for Global City Affairs of Incheon (center), along with city officials, is taking a commemorative photo after receiving the "UN Global Sustainable Development Cities Award" at the "2025 World Cities Day" ceremony held in Bogota, Colombia, on the 31st of last month (local time). Provided by Incheon City
Since 2008, Incheon City has supported afforestation activities in Mongolia and contributed to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)'s "Billion Tree Campaign." In addition, by attracting the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Secretariat in 2013, the city has served as a global hub for climate finance and green development. Incheon also set a model for international cities such as Kitakyushu and Bangkok through its "2045 Carbon Neutrality Declaration" announced in 2022.
On November 1, the city participated in the "Urban Network Special Session" held at the Bogota Convention Center in Colombia, where it presented these best practices and policy achievements and shared progress on the New Urban Agenda (NUA).
With this award, Incheon City expects its case to be included in the "2025 World Cities Day" annual report and to be disseminated as a global best practice for cities around the world to reference.
Yoo Jeongbok, Mayor of Incheon, stated, "This award is a meaningful result that recognizes Incheon's outstanding achievements on a global scale. We will continue to do our utmost to achieve sustainable urban development as a 'Global Top Ten City, Incheon.'"
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