World Human Rights Cities Forum 2026 to Be Held May 13–15
Focusing on Human Rights Cities Against Authoritarianism and Populism
World Human Rights Cities Forum (WHRCF) 2026 will be held for three days, from May 13 to 15, at Kimdaejung Convention Center under the theme “Human Rights Cities Against Authoritarianism and Populism.”
Now in its 16th year, WHRCF is jointly hosted by Gwangju Metropolitan City, UNESCO, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and organized by UCLG Committee on Social Inclusion, Participatory Democracy and Human Rights, Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, and Gwangju International Center. This year’s Forum will serve as a platform to examine human rights issues arising from authoritarianism and populism and to explore response strategies.
The overall program consists of 19 sessions across six categories, including the Opening Ceremony and Plenary Session on May 14, alongside thematic sessions, special sessions, network sessions, and human rights tour. At the Opening Ceremony, Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, is expected to deliver the keynote speech, sharing insights on the current state of global human rights and the direction they may take in the years ahead.
Ahead of the main program, on May 13, pre-forum special sessions will be held, co-organized by Chonnam National University and Chosun University. The sessions will focus on issues such as artificial intelligence (AI), the healthy aging sector, and their implications for human rights-related topics that are gaining increasing global attention.
The Forum is open to anyone interested, with both pre-registration and on-site registration available. Pre-registration will be open via the official website (whrcf.org) from April 1 through May 6.
World Human Rights Cities Forum 2026 to Be Held May 13–15
Focusing on Human Rights Cities Against Authoritarianism and Populism
World Human Rights Cities Forum (WHRCF) 2026 will be held for three days, from May 13 to 15, at Kimdaejung Convention Center under the theme “Human Rights Cities Against Authoritarianism and Populism.”
Now in its 16th year, WHRCF is jointly hosted by Gwangju Metropolitan City, UNESCO, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and organized by UCLG Committee on Social Inclusion, Participatory Democracy and Human Rights, Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, and Gwangju International Center. This year’s Forum will serve as a platform to examine human rights issues arising from authoritarianism and populism and to explore response strategies.
The overall program consists of 19 sessions across six categories, including the Opening Ceremony and Plenary Session on May 14, alongside thematic sessions, special sessions, network sessions, and human rights tour. At the Opening Ceremony, Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, is expected to deliver the keynote speech, sharing insights on the current state of global human rights and the direction they may take in the years ahead.
Ahead of the main program, on May 13, pre-forum special sessions will be held, co-organized by Chonnam National University and Chosun University. The sessions will focus on issues such as artificial intelligence (AI), the healthy aging sector, and their implications for human rights-related topics that are gaining increasing global attention.
The Forum is open to anyone interested, with both pre-registration and on-site registration available. Pre-registration will be open via the official website (whrcf.org) from April 1 through May 6.