“Highlights of the APW in 2015 were the central events of the first week: The Kick-Off Event and the Opening Ceremony with high-ranking guests from the business and political sectors on May 18, the 3rd Embassy Day Asia-Pacific on May 19 (both days at the Federal Foreign Office) and the Business and Technology Conference “Smart Cities – Smart Solutions for Urban Challenges” at the CityCube on May 21 – 22.”
For the first time the APW cooperated with the Metropolitan Solutions convention and trade show, which took place at the CityCube from May 20 to 22. The exhibition and the extensive conference program were supplemented by site visits to Berlin companies, research institutions and locations relevant for the future. Crucial issues for the future have been discussed that are relevant for Berlin as well as for cities in Asia: Intelligent water management, energy, transport and sustainable urban development, as well as efficient and creative solutions to urban challenges. Experts from Europe and Asia, from business, science, politics and culture discussed innovative concepts for future cities at 116 events within 12 days. Another premiere of the APW-anniversary issue was the “Asia-Europe Innovation Dialogue” with the central anchor conference LABS TO PUBLIC, which took place on May 27 at Platoon Kunsthalle and at the Factory on May 28. Involved were start-ups, incubators, accelerators, university incubators and established companies from Germany and Asia. In the multi-stakeholder event, the development of international partnerships and projects and of long-term, sustainable cooperation between Asia and Europe was specifically triggered by the combination of networking, prototyping and a participatory environment. A special highlight of this year’s APW was the extensive cultural program presented by the Chinese Embassy in cooperation with the Press Office of the State Council of the PRC: a film festival, high-profile Kungfu – and dance shows, a panda art exhibition with traditional craftsmanship in the Gardens of the World (in Marzahn) and food festivals inspired and fascinated the guests.
The events of the APW were attended by more than 2,300 participants. Around a quarter of the visitors came to Berlin from China, South Korea, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan and Mongolia.