Key Highlights :
Incheon, the closest port city to Korea's capital, Seoul, has been a window to foreign civilizations since the late 1800s. After the ceasefire of the Korean War in 1953, it played a pivotal role in leading the "Miracle on the Han River" with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Now, with a population of 2.9 million, Incheon is the third-largest city in Korea, and is seeking to build on its international connections.
Incheon has a variety of traces of its international influence, such as Sinpo International Market, the oldest daily market in Incheon, and Baedari Village's secondhand bookstore alley. It is also home to the largest Chinatown in the country. The city is host to various international conferences, many of which take place in Songdo, a free economic zone designated in 2003. The region is a hub for global collaboration, as it is home to 15 international organizations, including the Green Climate Fund Secretariat and the World Bank's Korea office.
Incheon International Airport provides the main gateway to Korea, offering flights to 188 countries and making it a key hub for international travel. Now, the city is hosting the ADB's 56th annual meeting from May 2 to 5 at Songdo Convensia. The meeting brings together around 5,000 people from around the world, including finance ministers and central bank governors, under the theme of "Rebounding Asia: Recover, Reconnect and Reform." During a meeting last October with ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa, Incheon City Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok expressed his confidence in Incheon's ability to host the large-scale international event. Yoo stated that Incheon has the "best infrastructure" and has already "successfully hosted" events such as UNESCO's World Education Forum in 2015.
Incheon has been a window to foreign civilizations for centuries, and it continues to be a hub for international collaboration. With its infrastructure and experience hosting international events, the city is well-equipped to host the ADB's 56th annual meeting and provide the best support possible. Incheon is a vibrant city that is sure to impress visitors from around the world.