Melbourne, Australia, selected to host the 45th IASP World Conference in 2028

Hosting an IASP World Conference is a great opportunity for any innovation ecosystem, and each year it attracts strong interest from across our membership. The 2028 edition was no exception, with three candidates presenting their bids to the General Assembly.

The three candidates were Melbourne (Australia), Campinas (Brazil) and Vizag (India). Each presented its vision for hosting the global gathering, highlighting the strengths of its city, country and innovation ecosystem, and what it could offer the international IASP community.

The votes were cast and counted, and the IASP General Assembly selected Melbourne as the destination for the 45th IASP World Conference.

An IASP Full Member since 2023, Melbourne Innovation District is a partnership involving the City of Melbourne, RMIT University, the University of Melbourne and a wider network of local institutions. RMIT University plays a key role in connecting research, industry and civic partners, supporting collaboration and the development of solutions across technology, urban innovation and social impact.

The wider Melbourne ecosystem is one of the Asia-Pacific region's leading innovation hubs, with more than 3,500 start-ups and scale-ups. The conference will offer delegates an opportunity to discover some of its innovation precincts, including Melbourne Connect, the Parkville Biomedical Precinct and the National Artificial Intelligence Centre, and explore the partnerships connecting research, business and the city.

Located in the state of Victoria in southeastern Australia, a country with one of the highest foreign-born populations in the world, Melbourne is an international and multicultural city, shaped by its diverse population and strong global connections. The city has a world-leading reputation for quality of life, education, research and innovation, with particular strengths in health, technology and design. Its urban innovation ecosystem brings universities, hospitals, businesses and public institutions, together in shared urban spaces, and its strong partnership networks support a highly engaged research and innovation ecosystem.

We would like to thank all three candidate teams for the time, commitment and energy they invested in their campaigns. The connections made along the way will serve the whole IASP community well beyond this vote.

Congratulations to Melbourne Innovation District/RMIT and everyone behind the winning bid!