The city of Málaga has been selected to host the Global Innopolis Forum and the Assembly of Leaders of the Global Innopolis Network (GINI) in 2026, an international event bringing together leading institutions, universities, and research centers in the field of innovation. This will mark the first time the forum, originally launched by the South Korean city of Daejeon, is held outside of Korea, with Málaga chosen as the next host city.
In this context, the University of Málaga and Hanbat National University (South Korea) have signed a letter of intent to collaborate on joint academic, scientific, and innovation activities. The agreement, signed by UMA’s Delegate for Technological Innovation, Javier López Muñoz, lays the groundwork for future research projects, student exchange programs, and institutional cooperation between the two universities.
The announcement was made during an official event attended by Málaga’s Mayor Francisco de la Torre and Daejeon’s Mayor and GINI President Jang-Woo Lee, alongside other city officials and a South Korean delegation. During their visit, the Daejeon representatives met with local innovation and entrepreneurship stakeholders and explored key facilities such as the National Digital Content Hub.
Since 2018, Málaga and Daejeon have maintained a strong relationship based on knowledge exchange in science and technology, participating in several joint initiatives. The upcoming Global Innopolis Forum in Málaga will further solidify this partnership and will be held alongside the Transfiere Forum, enhancing Málaga’s international projection as a hub for innovation.
The Global Innopolis Network (GINI), formally established in 2024, includes innovation-leading cities such as Daejeon, Dortmund (Germany), Málaga, Montgomery County and Seattle (USA), with new members Hsinchu (Taiwan) and the province of Quebec (Canada) soon to join. GINI aims to foster intercity cooperation in science, technology, and innovation to address global challenges and promote sustainable, inclusive economic growth.
