Port cities are increasingly at the epicenter of global transformations. Facing the consequences of climate change, geopolitical shifts, and growing socio-economic inequality, these complex urban-maritime centers are tasked with designing and implementing adaptive strategies to increase their resiliency and balance global trends with local concerns. The usual tensions that are present in port cities have been exacerbated, motivated by global shifts questioning societal challenges and forcing unexpected changes on trade and development policies.

The 20th World Conference Cities and Ports, to be held in New York City from November 18th to 21st, 2025, co-organized by AIVP and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYC EDC), will address how port cities are responding to these challenges—anchoring resilience through innovation, inclusive governance, and environmental stewardship.

This new edition, titled “Navigating Change: Innovating Ports, Cities and Climate,” will take place in the aftermath of major international discussions such as the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) and COP 30. These conferences emphasize the urgency to act to reduce the impact of climate change and to protect our oceans. In this global framework, port cities must rethink their infrastructure, economies, and governance models, embracing their crucial role.

Around the world, cities are reimagining their waterfronts—not only as hubs of maritime logistics, but as vital public spaces, nodes for innovation, and catalysts for low-carbon transition. New York City offers an ideal context to explore how port territories can respond to rising sea levels, growing public demand for water accessibility, and the combination of urban and port planning.

This conference will convene a broad range of stakeholders to exchange knowledge on emerging paradigms such as the blue economy, the role of port cities in green energy sources, and sustainable mobility. We will learn together how to navigate these changing times, with shared knowledge, innovative practices, and long-term vision. The 20th AIVP Conference will strengthen the capacity of port cities to meet global challenges with local solutions.

Let us meet in New York to reinforce the bonds between ports, cities, and their communities—and to chart a resilient course for the decades ahead.