This is Mayor Kang of Gwangju Metropolitan City, South Korea, and I am writing to you today to officially invite you to attend the upcoming World Human Rights Cities Forum (WHRCF) 2025, which will be held in Gwangju from May 15th to 17th, 2025.

Gwangju Metropolitan City initiated the World Human Rights Cities Forum in 2011 in order to continue the spirit of the May 18 Democratization Movement of 1980 and to share the experiences of human rights cities. The Forum has now grown into an important platform for cities and human rights experts around the world to discuss various human rights issues and seek solutions together.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, yet conflicts and disputes continue in many parts of the world, threatening the peaceful existence of humanity. Conflicts are serious challenges that destroy the foundation of human rights. Reducing conflicts and promoting peace are crucial, urgent, and shared common goals for human rights cities. 

The theme of the WHRCF 2025 is ‘Peace and Solidarity: Human Rights Cities Acting for Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding’. International organizations, human rights city stakeholders, civil society, and human rights experts will make clear that no human rights can be guaranteed in the absence of peace. The forum will explore the meaning of active peace and find ways to work in solidarity to create human rights cities where everyone can live in safety.

We look forward to welcoming you to Gwangju this May and sharing an enriching experience together.

Thank you.