World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization, Seoul (2026)

12/12/2025

The World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) is seeking a dedicated Program Officer to join our Secretariat in Seoul and contribute to our mission of transforming cities through digital innovation and public-private partnerships. In this dynamic role, you will be responsible for driving smart city research, managing international events, and coordinating with our members, regional offices, and partners to facilitate matchmaking between cities and solution providers.

We are looking for a native or fluent English speaker with at least two (or, master’s degree and at least one) years of experience at an international organization/institution, public organization/institution, IT/smart tech company, ODA project, or a related field in the activities and mission of WeGO.

🌏 Key Details:
✅ Role: Program Officer (1 Position)
✅ Location: Seoul, South Korea
✅ Deadline: 31 December 2025
✅ Start Date: February 2026
✅ Application: www.we-gov.org/careers

08/12/2025

WeGO is thrilled to wrap up the 2025 WeGO Champions Program, a series of immersive workshops that successfully empowered the next generation of urban leaders to tackle the intersection of artificial intelligence, nature, and governance.

This year's program took participants on a global journey of discovery, starting with a deep dive into regenerative urbanism in Athens, where students analyzed how integrated green-blue-grey strategies can transform dense neighborhoods into climate-resilient spaces.

The conversation then evolved in Italy to address the technological backbone of modern cities, as sessions in Brescia and Milan unpacked the revolutionary potential of immersive digital environments and real-time sensor data to optimize everything from energy efficiency to stakeholder engagement.

Finally, we concluded in New York City, gathering at the intersection of academia and industry to discuss the responsible adoption of AI and the importance of closing the global capacity gap in urban tech. From the architectural students in Greece to the tech innovators in the US, this year’s cohort demonstrated that the future of our cities lies in combining cutting-edge digital innovation with deeply human-centric, sustainable design.

https://we-gov.org/news-2023/wego-champions-program-2025-workshops-wrap-up-advancing-ai-sustainable-solutions-and-youth-leadership-in-athens-brescia-milan-and-new-york/

08/12/2025

WeGO hosted the Luncheon for the Advisory Board & Prize Committee 2025 on December 4 at the Seoul Club, bringing together distinguished committee members and experts for an afternoon of meaningful exchange and shared reflection on the organization’s smart city initiatives.

The annual gathering offered a warm yet professional setting that strengthened relationships with both committees, which play a vital role in shaping WeGO’s strategic direction. Participants reviewed key achievements from the past year, discussed current urban challenges, and explored collaborative opportunities for 2026.

WeGO expressed sincere appreciation for the committees’ continued guidance and expertise, which have been instrumental in advancing the organization’s programs, expanding partnerships, and supporting member cities in digital transformation and sustainable urban development.

Looking ahead, WeGO reaffirmed its commitment to deepening expert engagement and global cooperation. With strong support from its Advisory Board and Prize Committee, WeGO will continue to enrich its initiatives and contribute to resilient, citizen-centered smart city development in the year ahead.

https://we-gov.org/news-2023/wego-advisory-board-prize-committee-2025-year-end-luncheon-held-to-strengthen-collaboration-and-shared-vision/

25/11/2025

WeGO successfully concluded its 2025 Executive Committee (EXCOM) Meeting, hosted in Abu Dhabi by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT).

As the organization’s primary governance platform, this annual meeting gathered 120 distinguished leaders and stakeholders to evaluate accomplishments and define the strategic roadmap for the year ahead. Under the theme "Driving Urban Transformation through AI and Smart Mobility in the MENA Region," the summit underscored the critical role of artificial intelligence in modern urban management and public service delivery.

Key Highlights and Outcomes include:
✅ Strategic Direction: Chaired by the Seoul Metropolitan Government (President City), the committee approved nine key agenda items, including the WeGO work plan and budget for the upcoming year.
✅ Network Expansion: WeGO officially welcomed ten new members to the network, comprising four local governments, four institutions, and two corporations.
✅ Regional Growth: The event featured the symbolic Opening Ceremony of the WeGO Latin America Regional Office, marked by remarks from Ms. Gabriela Brito, Deputy Mayor of Cuenca, Ecuador.
✅ High-Level Dialogue: The program included a Mayors’ Roundtable and panel discussions on digital governance, financing smart city projects, and the cross-regional implementation of AI technologies.

Abu Dhabi continues to demonstrate exceptional leadership in the smart city sector, utilizing initiatives led by the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority and research from the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) to set new benchmarks in urban sustainability.

WeGO extends its gratitude to the host city and all delegates for their commitment to fostering international cooperation and accelerating digital transformation aligned with global sustainable development goals.

25/11/2025

We are excited to invite your city to sign up today to learn how to apply for the next phase of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund, a global program helping cities mobilize young people to lead local climate solutions.
This program is administered in collaboration with the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, United Cities and Local Governments, and C40 Cities.

By submitting a short, non-binding Expression of Interest (EOI) by 30 November, your city will be among the first to receive application details, resources, and guidance when the program opens in December 2025. You can submit your EOI from the webpage.

Bloomberg Philanthropies is expanding its Youth Climate Action Fund, reopening the program for up to 300 city halls. Participating local governments will each receive $50,000 and technical assistance to launch open innovation competitions and mobilize young people ages 15-24 to design, develop, and implement solutions that meet pressing local needs aligned to city climate goals. Municipalities that respond to the urgency of the moment and commit the initial $50,000 within one year will receive an additional $50,000 to support more youth-driven projects. To date, the Fund has helped 100 cities work with more than 100,000 young people to create green spaces, build composting stations, plant trees, design community gardens, and reduce waste, delivering tangible benefits for their communities.

To date, the Fund has helped 100 cities work with more than 100,000 young people to create green spaces, build composting stations, plant trees, design community gardens, and reduce waste, delivering tangible benefits for their communities.

For any questions, please reach out to: [email protected]

https://bloombergcities.jhu.edu/program/youth-climate-action-fund

19/11/2025

WeGO concluded a mission trip to Bangkok, aimed at expanding strategic partnerships and promoting its flagship initiatives, including the Seoul Smart City Prize, Seoul Smart Life Week, and other upcoming WeGO flagship events and activities.

During the mission, the WeGO delegation had a great opportunity to conduct fruitful bilateral meetings with the Governor of Bangkok, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Ambassador of Korea to Thailand, and the Assistant Vice President of Chulalongkorn University.

In addition, the WeGO Delegation conducted meetings with key stakeholders from Urban Studies Lab, Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), Korean-Thai Chamber of Commerce (KTCC), and KOTRA in Bangkok. Discussions focused on joint efforts in sustainable development, disaster resilience, smart mobility, and youth empowerment through the WeGO Champions Programs as well as expanding Seoul Smart City Prize awareness across Thailand. The visit included site tours at True Digital Park, Chong Nonsi Canal Park, and Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, showcasing Thailand’s innovation in smart urban design.

https://we-gov.org/news-2023/wego-enhances-ties-with-bangkok/

14/11/2025

WeGO is pleased to announce the launch of the Cities Future Readiness Index (CFRI), jointly developed with the Descartes Institute for the Future, the Geneva UN Charter Centre of Excellence on Smart Sustainable Cities and Sustainable Urban Development, and Geneva University.

The Launch Ceremony will be held on November 18th, 2025 at Palais des Nations in Geneva UN Headquarters. Stay tuned as we celebrate this milestone and spotlight the cities leading the way toward a smarter, more sustainable tomorrow.

RSVP for the Online Participation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScovIw2LZtSYeg1EBBZPcOUE_U2zFoNFMb63-gzRJB4iPJGOQ/viewform

11/11/2025

🌍 WeGO Strengthens Global Smart City Collaboration at in Barcelona

From November 4–7, 2025, the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) proudly participated in the Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) 2025 — the world’s leading event on urban innovation — bringing together global leaders, cities, and organizations shaping the future of inclusive and sustainable urban development.

Led by Eunbyul Elena Cho, Program Director at WeGO, our delegation:
✅ Promoted WeGO’s vision for human-centric Smart Sustainable Cities
✅ Showcased the Seoul Smart City Prize and its global impact
✅ Expanded partnerships with key organizations, cities, and networks worldwide

During the main program, WeGO joined the panel “Making It Happen: How Cities Can Turn Livability Plans into Reality,” highlighting the values of inclusion, sustainability, and equitable governance through technology — featuring success stories from Seoul and São Paulo’s Accessible Service Network Map (ASNM).

🤝 Throughout the week, WeGO held strategic meetings, sessions, roundtables, and networking sessions with:
- Unión de Ciudades Capitales Iberoamericanas (UCCI), Association of Catalan Municipalities, Spanish Smart City Network, Brasil–Catalunya Chamber of Commerce
- Major cities including Prague, Kuala Lumpur, Curitiba, Rome, Stockholm, Manchester, Helsinki, Tallinn, and Seongnam
- Global partners like SmartCitiesWorld, Dassault Systèmes, Deloitte, OASC, and Metropolis

A highlight of the week was signing an MoU with the Open and Agile Smart Cities (OASC) network — reinforcing our shared commitment to cross-collaboration and co-hosting opportunities for the 2026 WeGO General Assembly.

WeGO also met Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni during a special reception, extending an invitation to visit Seoul during Smart Life Week 2026 and the next WeGO General Assembly.

Our participation at hashtag reaffirmed WeGO’s role as a global connector and thought leader in the smart city ecosystem — driving collaboration, innovation, and sustainability for a better urban future.

11/11/2025

The World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) proudly participated in the Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS) & Mayors’ Forum, held in Expo City Dubai from October 26 to October 29, 2025. Hosted under the theme "Collaborate. Inspire. Transform.", APCS brought together over 150 mayors and representatives from 320 cities across every continent. The Summit served as a dynamic platform for fostering collaboration, discussing innovative strategies, and advancing sustainability, growth, and inclusion in the Asia Pacific region and beyond.

WeGO played a pivotal role in shaping discussions on smart and sustainable urban development. Our Secretary General delivered opening remarks at the Big Picture Session on "Unlocking Urban Intelligence." During this session, the Seoul Smart City Prize was introduced to encourage attendees to share their digital innovation approaches.

WeGO engaged in several high-level bilateral meetings with city leaders from around the globe, including Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic of Ipswich (Australia), Mayor Jacek Sutryk of Wroclaw (Poland), Representative Francesco Senese of Naples (Italy), Deputy Mayor Cllr. Daryl Barron of Dublin (Ireland), and Deputy Mayor Arnaud Ngatcha of Paris (France). During the discussions, WeGO extended invitations to apply for the prestigious Seoul Smart City Prize and to attend the Smart Life Week in Seoul in 2026 to recognize their innovative urban solutions and foster global collaboration.

Beyond the Summit, the WeGO Secretariat visited the Canadian University in Dubai (CUD) to meet with Professor Karim Chelli, President & Vice-Chancellor. This visit laid the foundation for a new collaboration, particularly regarding the Sustainable Smart City Champions program, and included an invitation for Professor Chelli to participate in the Global Youth Award. This new partnership aims to empower the next generation of urban leaders and innovators.

By engaging global leaders and fostering partnerships at APCS, WeGO aimed to turn dialogue into action, supporting cities to build a future that thrives through human-centered innovations.

30/10/2025

The World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) has strengthened its international network through a series of high-level meetings and engagement sessions in Greece and Qatar — reaffirming its mission to build smarter, more sustainable, and inclusive cities worldwide.

In Greece, WeGO Secretary General Mr. Jeong-kee Kim met with Ms. Andriana Zarakeli, Deputy Mayor of Piraeus, to explore collaboration in digital transformation and sustainable urban management. Piraeus, one of Europe’s most historic and strategic port cities, expressed strong interest in joining WeGO, participating in the Seoul Smart City Prize, and potentially hosting the WeGO General Assembly 2026. The WeGO delegation also visited the Piraeus Command Center, a state-of-the-art digital hub overseeing public services and innovative urban tree management projects.

The mission continued in Ellinikon, where Mayor Ioannis Konstantatos shared insights on the Ellinikon Project—Europe’s largest urban regeneration initiative transforming Athens’ former airport into a sustainable, tech-enabled district. WeGO discussed partnership opportunities and the possibility of establishing a Regional Office in Southern Europe to support smart city cooperation.

WeGO also hosted a WeGO Champions Session, led by Prof. Alexandre Hedjazi, further engaged Greek university students in advancing smart city innovation.

In Qatar, Mr. Kim met with H.E. Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah, Mayor of Doha and Minister of Municipality, to discuss Doha’s interest in joining WeGO and hosting future events. Meetings with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and Qatar University focused on youth empowerment through the WeGO Champions Program and collaboration in smart city education and research.

These missions mark another step forward in WeGO’s global journey — connecting cities, institutions, and innovators dedicated to creating sustainable urban futures.

30/10/2025

The World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) has strengthened its international partnerships and advanced its global smart city agenda through active participation in the 10th General Assembly of the Silk-Road Universities Network (SUN) in Samarkand and the Urban Forum in Azerbaijan, co-organized by UN-Habitat and the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

These two major gatherings — one academic, the other policy-oriented — served as platforms for WeGO to connect with academic institutions, city representatives, and government ministries across Central Asia and the Caucasus, reinforcing its role as a bridge between cities and knowledge institutions in driving digital transformation and sustainability.

WeGO played a key role in the Forum by moderating Panel Session 4: “The Interplay Between Mobility, Data, and Spatial Planning: Innovative Urban Solutions.” The session featured distinguished experts including Mr. Vahid Hajiyev, Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan; Mr. Fuad Jafarli, Head of Transport Planning at the Azerbaijan Land Transport Agency; Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar, Chief of Sciences and Technologies Sector at ICESCO; and Ms. Tiffanie Yamash*ta, Director at Systematica S.p.A.

The discussion highlighted the transformative role of data-driven decision-making, innovative transport planning, and digital tools in restoring connectivity and resilience in post-conflict regions. It also underscored the need for cross-sector collaboration between governments, international organizations, and private innovators in shaping sustainable urban futures.
On the sidelines of the Forum, WeGO conducted a series of high-level meetings with government representatives and institutional partners.

03/09/2025

Since 2022, WeGO has operated the WeGO Sustainable Smart City Champions, a youth empowerment initiative that promotes knowledge exchange and capacity building in urban development, sustainability, and smart cities through online lectures and in-person workshops held in cities around the world. This year, we are hosting workshops in Geneva, New York, Kuala Lumpur, Athens, Milan, Brescia, and Seoul this coming October.

As an extension of this initiative, the upcoming WeGO Champions Seoul Workshop will be an official event of SLW, a large-scale international event co-hosted by WeGO and the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The SLW will feature exhibitions and forums that showcase Seoul’s smart city experience and provide a platform for other cities and companies to share their innovative outcomes in smart city development and discuss future technology trends.

The WeGO Champions Seoul Workshop aims to engage young leaders in a panel discussion with experts about smart cities, and it will feature:
• Welcome Remarks by a Mayor from a WeGO Member City
• A Panel Discussion with international smart city experts, offering students a unique opportunity to engage with global leaders in the field of urban innovation, sustainability, and international cooperation.
• The Global Youth Award Ceremony, recognizing outstanding youth contributions in categories such as smart cities, advanced technologies, net-zero, and leadership.
• Access to SLW’s exhibitions and forums, showcasing Seoul’s smart city experience and providing a platform for international cities and companies to share innovative outcomes and discuss future technology trends.

*The program may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances

Please feel free to ask regarding to those sessions.

📞: +82 02 720 2931
📧: [email protected]
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World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization

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