- "Climate change is a shared crisis for humanity" – Emphasizing the role of urban policy and international solidarity

 - Over 300 participants, including overseas civil servant trainees; expanding the urban cooperation network

  The University of Seoul announced on November 22nd that it held a special lecture delivered by former United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Climate Change and the International Community's Response at the Grand Conference Hall of the Natural Sciences Building on Friday, November 21st, 2025, to commemorate the 100th Urban Infrastructure Forum. The lecture was delivered in a hybrid online–offline format and was attended by approximately 300 participants, including civil servants from developing countries, who engaged in training programs, alongside undergraduate and graduate students.

  This event was co-hosted by the University of Seoul’s International School of Urban Sciences (Dean: Shin Lee) and the University of Seoul Environmental, Social, and Governance Committee. The Urban Infrastructure Forum has been held monthly since 2013 and is thus a flagship academic event of the University of Seoul. It addresses key issues in urban development, the environment, and international cooperation, thereby providing a platform for domestic and international experts and practitioners to exchange knowledge and explore global collaboration strategies.

  Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon emphasized in his lecture that "Climate change is no longer confined to an environmental issue alone; it is a shared crisis for humanity that transcends national borders." Regarding the importance of cities, he noted that "Climate policies must secure implementation capacity at the urban level, and policy design and urban planning must incorporate resilience and sustainability." He added that "Cities are both a major source of carbon emissions and the spaces that can provide the fastest solutions." On this basis, he proposed a proactive, city-level response and an integrated approach to strengthen climate resilience.

  Furthermore, linking the Paris Agreement with the sustainable development goals, he said that "Climate action requires global cooperation with legally binding commitments and a system for monitoring implementation." He further highlighted the roles of city-specific climate plans and nationally determined contributions, as well as transparency in public investment and private financing. He stated that "Efficient and integrated urban governance, a trust-based climate finance structure, and locally grounded adaptation strategies will determine the sustainability of cities worldwide."

  The lecture was delivered in English, with Professor Hyeon Park of the International School of Urban Sciences (ISUS) moderating. Following the lecture, civil servant trainees from developing countries engaged in a meaningful dialogue with Ban Ki-moon, during which they posed questions about urban challenges and climate policies in their respective countries.

  Dean Shin Lee of the ISUS stated that "The 100th Urban Infrastructure Forum symbolizes the international urban cooperation network the University of Seoul has built over the past decade" and added that "We will continue to strengthen sustainable global solidarity in the fields of urban development and environmental policy."

  Notably, Ban Ki-moon was the 33rd minister of foreign affairs and trade and the eighth UN secretary-general. He currently serves as chairman of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future and as director emeritus of the Institute for Future Strategy at Seoul National University.