World's Smartest Urban Policies to Be Celebrated in Seoul

The 3rd Seoul Smart City Prize will take place during Smart Life Week 2025, scheduled from September 30 to October 1 at COEX in Seoul, attracting global attention from local governments and urban innovators around the world.

Established in 2023 by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in partnership with the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO), the Seoul Smart City Prize aims to promote Seoul’s forward-looking smart city vision—grounded in its globally leading e-government capabilities—while expanding best practices across the world.

This year’s awards will be presented under the core theme of “Building an Inclusive and Attractive Smart City in Solidarity with the Vulnerable,” reflecting the values of inclusivity and innovation that define Seoul’s digital policy direction. The awards ceremony is expected to draw over 200 guests, including Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, city leaders from across the globe, as well as leading academics and experts in smart urban development.

The 2025 competition attracted 220 project submissions from 115 cities across 52 countries, spanning Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania. Among these, 45 entries advanced to the finals, and 21 winners will be selected across three categorie, Project Awards, Leadership Awards and Special Awards.

All entries were evaluated by an international jury assembled by WeGO, composed of smart city experts and thought leaders from around the world. Winning projects will not only gain international recognition but will also be offered opportunities to showcase their work through dedicated exhibition booths at SLW, as well as invitations to capacity-building programs and global networking events.

Last year’s winning projects drew significant attention from global delegates visiting Smart Life Week. Notably, Baguio City in the Philippines won the Gold Prize in the People-Centered category for its public health governance platform, BIAG, while Reykjavík, Iceland received the Gold Prize in Technological Innovation for its smart education system reform. The award aims to encourage smart city models that are not only innovative but also inclusive, scalable, and adaptable to a variety of urban contexts around the world.

The Seoul Smart City Prize builds on Seoul’s long-standing leadership in digital governance and urban innovation. In 2022, the city was awarded Top City at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona for its Digital Inclusion Strategy, which outlined a new model for smart cities that prioritize accessibility, equity, and inclusion.

The Prize also reflects Seoul’s core values of "inclusiveness" and "attractiveness"—a guiding vision for building a city where no one is left behind in the process of technological advancement.

The Seoul Smart City Prize is co-organized with WeGO, a global network of more than 200 cities, local governments, companies, and institutions working together to make cities smarter and more sustainable. Originally launched in 2010 as the World e-Governments Organization, WeGO evolved into its current form to foster public-private partnerships and digital transformation. Seoul, as a founding member and the world’s leading e-government city for seven consecutive years, continues to play a pivotal role in shaping WeGO’s mission and supporting its global initiatives.

According to Kang Ok-hyun, Director General of Seoul’s Digital City “The Seoul Smart City Prize is not just a celebration of technological advancement, but a platform for global collaboration toward more inclusive and livable cities. Seoul is proud to lead the way in proposing sustainable, citizen-centered smart city models in partnership with the global community.” The 3rd Seoul Smart City Prize ceremony is expected to draw over 200 participants, including global city leaders, policymakers, scholars, and smart city innovators. The event will take place as part of Smart Life Week 2025, Seoul’s flagship ICT and urban innovation showcase.

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