[Activity] “Navigating Cities in an Era of Polycrisis”…Jai-Chul Choi Delivers Strategic Lecture to Pohang City Officials > 게시글

On March 13, Jai-Chul Choi, Chairman of the Climate Change Center, delivered a lecture at a senior officials’ breakfast forum held at Pohang City Hall under the theme “An Era of Polycrisis and Uncertainty: Charting Pohang’s Path Forward.” The lecture, attended by approximately 100 senior city officials, outlined key directions for Pohang’s development toward 2050. Chairman Choi identified artificial intelligence (AI), climate, geopolitics, and the East Sea region as core strategic keywords, and presented policy insights for enhancing urban competitiveness.

He emphasized the importance of building a collaborative governance framework involving citizens, businesses, and academia, as well as strengthening global networks through the expansion of international conferences and exhibitions. He noted that locally grounded cooperation combined with international engagement will be a decisive factor in shaping sustainable cities.

Drawing on global case studies, including Billund in Denmark and Malmö in Sweden, Chairman Choi illustrated how long-term vision and strategic execution can drive urban competitiveness. He also referenced the World Economic Forum’s global risks, highlighting the interconnected nature of climate change, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss as defining features of today’s polycrisis.

Chairman Choi stated, “In an era where climate risks, geopolitical shifts, and technological transformations are unfolding simultaneously, long-term strategic planning and collaborative frameworks are more critical than ever. Governance built on regional strengths, combined with international cooperation, will determine the sustainability of cities.”

Chairman Choi currently serves as an advisor to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) and as a MICE Ambassador for Pohang City, contributing to the advancement of international conferences and exhibitions as well as the expansion of global networks.