Daejeon Advances Science-Tech Urban Innovation at Spain Forum
Daejeon City, South Korea, is sharing its expertise in science and technology-driven urban development with European counterparts, highlighted by its participation in the 3rd World Innovative Cities Forum held in Malaga, Spain, on February 24th, 2026. The forum, a flagship event of the Global Innovation Network for Innovation Cities (GINI), took place alongside Transfiere, a leading European technology transfer fair.
Collaboration at the Forefront
The forum brought together approximately 200 attendees, including representatives from GINI member cities, European scientists and research institution officials. Discussions centered on “Science and Technology-Based Sustainable Urban Innovation.” Daejeon, collaborating with Hanbat National University and the National NanoFab Center, showcased its success in becoming a science and technology-focused economic hub. Source
Keynote Insights from Korea and Germany
Park Heung-soo, President of the Korea National NanoFab Center, delivered a keynote speech focusing on the successful application of advanced infrastructure, specifically in the nano and semiconductor fields, to urban competitiveness. Herbert Waldmann, Director of the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology in Germany, presented on the impact of basic science (specifically in the field of bio) on urban development. Source
Strengthening International Partnerships
The event facilitated dialogue on linking basic research outcomes to industry and defining the roles of research institutions and local governments in supporting startups. Hanbat National University and the University of Malaga similarly held a joint session, agreeing to collaborate on “nurturing future talent” to sustain innovation in both cities, identifying joint industry-academia cooperation projects. Source
GINI and the Future of Innovation Alliances
Choi Sunga, Vice Mayor for Political, Economic and Science Affairs of Daejeon City, emphasized the effectiveness of Daejeon’s research capabilities and infrastructure on the European stage. She stated that GINI is poised to become a powerful innovation alliance focused on sharing technology and talent. Source
About GINI
The Global Innopolis Network Initiative (GINI) is an international collaboration platform connecting cities and regions committed to leveraging science and technology for sustainable innovation and economic growth. Founding members include Daejeon (Republic of Korea), Montgomery County (MD, USA), Málaga (Spain), Dortmund (Germany), Seattle (USA), and Québec Province (Canada). Source GINI was officially launched on September 4, 2024, in Daejeon, Republic of Korea. Source
Transfiere: A Hub for European Innovation
The forum’s co-location with Transfiere, Europe’s leading technology transfer fair, provided a valuable platform for collaboration. Transfiere, celebrating its 15th edition in 2026 since its launch in 2012, hosted 600 companies and institutions from 30 countries in the previous year, facilitating 100 panels and meetings focused on industry-academia-research cooperation and technology transfer. Source
2nd GINI General Assembly to be Held in Malaga
Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo announced that Malaga, Spain, will host the 2nd General Assembly of the Global Innopolis Network Initiative in 2026. Source