Track: Governance & Economy

Welcome to the 2025 edition of our events – the global stage where urban innovation comes to life.

This opening session sets the tone for an exciting journey ahead, with a warm welcome from Smart City Expo director Ugo Valenti and Tomorrow.Mobility president Marc Rozendal. Joining them are high-level representatives who will share how territories around the world are transforming the way we live, move, and build. Get ready to explore bold ideas and groundbreaking strategies.

This roundtable discussion will explore strategies for boosting cybersecurity within urban environments. We will focus on identifying key takeaways for Central and Eastern European (CEE) cities, drawing upon the experiences and lessons learned from their Western and Northern European counterparts.

the International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) programme promotes decentralized international urban and regional cooperation focused on sustainable development and innovation. During SCEWC 2025, its Global Thematic Networking Workshop will bring together 248 delegates from 124 cities and regions to co-create pilot projects around three pillars: Smart & Connected, Green & Clean, and Just & Inclusive.

Smart cities are becoming a major frontier for investment, from climate tech and mobility to housing and digital infrastructure. This panel will explore how venture capital, corporate VC, and private equity are navigating shifting markets, regulation, and technology—and where capital is heading by 2030 across AI, green construction, and other scalable urban solutions

In an increasingly urbanized world, metropolitan areas concentrate the major challenges—and opportunities—of our time. From climate resilience to mobility, housing, and inequality, these challenges rarely respect administrative boundaries. Yet, around the globe, cities of all sizes and levels of development are collaborating and experimenting with new models of metropolitan governance.

Cities face rising demand for services, aging populations, and limited resources. This session explores how AI helps governments reimagine service delivery—streamlining access, boosting responsiveness in critical services like safety and transport, and personalizing experiences. We’ll discuss how intelligent agents are becoming trusted partners, helping cities become more adaptive, inclusive, and resilient.

How can AI enhance decision-making in smart cities while ensuring ethical and unbiased outcomes? What role do AI technologies play in optimizing public services in the cities of the future?

This dialogue session will discuss the theme of enhancing Riyadh’s urban infrastructure through two key initiatives: the Infrastructure Readiness Initiative—developing a strategic framework for utility coverage monitoring and city growth demand—and the Road Resurfacing Governance project, aimed at optimizing road maintenance, foster sustainability, avoid repetitive works, reduce traffic congestion, and contribute to spending efficiency in road resurfacing works across the Riyadh Region.

How are governments up to date with technological innovations to improve public services and government efficiency? Are governments into the digital transformation to make their services more accessible, and user-friendly?

Register for our interactive workshop on fragmentation in the mobility sector jointly organised by EIT Urban Mobility and the ITF. Fragmentation is a major source of inefficiencies leading to poorly coordinated services, longer transit times and the inefficient use of public funds. More information and registration under this link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/efWhweEBPs

You can either plan for it, or it can happen to you - Liverpool City Region is not about to let the significant opportunities presented by artificial intelligence pass it by. The authority’s first-of-a-kind Chief AI Officer and Jacobs’ Smart Cities Director will discuss the potential for ethically aligned public and urban services, how AI will shape plans to grow the city region’s innovation economy, and the enabling ‘infrastructure’ needed to make it all happen.

This opening GovTech session brings together two leading voices in digital government to explore how leadership, innovation, collaboration, and technology are reshaping the next generation of public administration. Through an open dialogue, Albert Tort and Barbara Ubaldi will discuss how governments can embrace GovTech as a strategic lever for building smarter, more agile, efficient, and citizen-centric institutions. The conversation will highlight key lessons from Catalonia and international best practices, focusing on data-driven governance, AI integration, and the balance between innovation and public trust. It will also address the importance of fostering innovation and collaboration across the digital ecosystem — connecting public institutions, startups, and technology partners to drive systemic transformation and deliver real public value.

How can urban leaders unlock new investment streams and foster economic models that support long-term change? Cities must look beyond traditional budgets to finance sustainable goals, drive local development, and support inclusive community projects. This session will examine how cross-sector collaboration and innovative financing approaches can enable cities to transform their ambitions into practical and equitable outcomes.

How can we finance projects to reach sustainable goals? How important is it to work on cross-sector collaboration to move forward on financing?

How can cities harness AI to drive smarter, fairer decisions? As AI reshapes urban life, its potential to optimize public services and governance grows—so does the need for ethical, transparent systems. Explore how responsible, sustainable AI can guide smart cities toward more efficient, inclusive, and future-ready urban environments.

This session will explore the strategies and approaches that GovTech can offer to help public administrations become more efficient, transparent, and citizen-centered. The discussion will examine how digitalization is reshaping governance, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, and enhancing public services.

Just and Inclusive is a closed IURC thematic session with mandatory attendance for assigned participants. Cities and regions will join one of 11 clusters (90 mins in 3 rooms) based on thematic networks: PORTICO (cities) and S3 Platforms (regions). Topics include Urban Regeneration, Affordable Housing, Industrial Modernisation, and Civic Participation.

Green and Clean is a closed IURC thematic session with mandatory attendance for assigned participants. Cities and regions will join one of 11 clusters (90 mins in 3 rooms) based on thematic networks: PORTICO (cities) and S3 Platforms (regions). Topics include Clean Energy, Blue Economy, Circular Economy, and Climate Adaptation.

Productive, Smart and Connected is a closed IURC thematic session with mandatory attendance for assigned participants. Cities and regions will join one of 11 clusters (90 mins in 3 rooms) based on thematic networks: PORTICO (cities) and S3 Platforms (regions). Topics include Mobility & Transport, Strategic Sectors, Urban Innovation, and Agri-food.

Explore how local governments are scaling partnerships across Europe through a unique digital tool. This session will offer valuable insights, practical examples, and networking opportunities for municipalities and stakeholders looking to enhance cooperation, access funding, and build impactful, cross-border projects.

As the climate crisis intensifies, urban leaders are under increasing pressure to play a pivotal role in mitigating the repercussions of climate change by implementing innovative practices, advancing sustainable energy strategies, and adopting climate-smart practices. How are cities leading solutions that confront the escalating consequences of the climate emergency, balancing environmental responsibility, city living, and economic vitality?

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant concept—it is central to how governments rethink, rebuild, and deliver essential services. This session will highlight how AI is transforming public infrastructure across major American cities, showcasing real-world applications that improve efficiency, responsiveness, and equity.

This session will discuss the effect of online tools (mis)use on citizen trust and participation in democracy, as well as strategies to counter misinformation and to promote digital media literacy. On the background of the EU Democracy Shield initiative, cities will exchange their experiences and discuss approaches to better respond to threats, and to continue enabling citizen participation in offline and online spaces.

Alliance of European Mayors and Better Politics Foundation co-produced a documentary on innovation in European cities, spotlighted mayors and cities that are pioneering new approaches to democratic resilience, digital transformation, and citizen engagement. Outstanding mayors from cities such as Stockholm, Bologna and Lisbon participates in this powerful story of how local leadership is reshaping democracy from the ground up.

How do we advance urban regeneration to create green and thriving neighbourhoods? This session will explore practical strategies for uniting finance, public action, and community voices to shape vibrant, sustainable places for all. Hear insights from industry leaders on innovative financing and partnership models, and learn from city officials about successful land revitalisation projects and how they engaged students in the design process.

How are cities shaping their strategies to create more livable and inclusive communities? This session brings together city representatives to share experiences on planning, governance, and collaboration, exploring how innovation and technology can support better decision-making, citizen participation, and the delivery of public value.

This event offers the opportunity to connect with the Latin America Smart Cities community, including industry experts, companies and local leaders, to exchange insights on how innovative technology and green infrastructure can accelerate economic and social development. 

Technological advances are reshaping daily life, while cities remain key arenas for democratic action and civic rights. In this context, technology is a powerful driver of progress and transformation, enhancing urban living. Yet this development also brings challenges such as the digital divide, misinformation, and declining trust. This session explores how cities can form alliances to defend civic rights and ensure technology serves the public good.

Rapid urbanization, coupled with accelerated digital transformation, is reshaping the urban landscape, compelling local governments to evolve beyond traditional frameworks, adopt proactive approaches, and develop tailored solutions to address their distinct challenges. Traditionally, cybersecurity has been confined to national and organizational frameworks. However, with the growing digital complexity of cities and the spread of cyber-physical systems (i.e., IoT), it is becoming increasingly challenging and unsustainable for central national administrations to manage cybersecurity at the local level, necessitating that cities take more active roles.

How can cities translate sustainability goals into concrete policies and actions? With the 2030 Agenda as a guiding framework, municipalities are rethinking infrastructures, services, and governance models to reduce environmental impact and improve quality of life. This session will discuss practical approaches to sustainable urban management, resource efficiency, and long-term resilience.

This joint session by RECI and Red Innpulso will showcase urban innovation and digitalization experiences with real impact on cities. It will feature a dialogue on public-private collaboration and future challenges, with participation from institutional representatives and municipal experts leading transformative projects in smart governance, mobility, green transition, and digital public services, highlighting both impacts and lessons learned.

The celebration of the 5th Spain-India Forum, a high-level institutional and diplomatic dialogue bringing together governmental, business, academic, and technological representatives from the sectors of both countries, is being organised by the Spain-India Council Foundation in collaboration with Barcelona City Council and Fira de Barcelona, on the occasion of the Smart City World Congress.

"The workshop aims to support cities delegations in finding concrete solutions for the most pressing issues in their cities and moving their smart city agenda forward, by facilitating a dynamic exchange and interaction between the two cities and with relevant experts.  Format: three-hour workshop (by invitation only) for two delegations and other interested participants who will actively engage in peer-to-peer discussion facilitated by experts"

Eurocities and the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) co-organise this session to explore how Urban Digital Twins are moving from pilots to strategic tools for smarter cities. The event will gather city leaders, researchers, and practitioners from smart city ecosystems to discuss lessons learned, governance challenges, and how to ensure that data-informed urban governance remains human-centred, ethical, and accountable.

The original “smart city” idea, focused on automation, efficiency, and instrumentation, has changed with the growth of AI, machine learning, and pervasive connectivity. In this panel, we will explore what “smart” actually means today, and how we approach the realities of connected environments where systems operate across public and private boundaries, often without centralized control.

This dynamic panel explores how governance and financial levers can accelerate the shift to a circular built environment. Drawing on insights from across the construction value chain, it will highlight strategies like waste prevention and secondary material markets, and examine how EU policies such as Construction Products Regulation and Green Public Procurement along with skills and capacity-building, can drive systemic change.

Cities are facing the realities of climate change, and the 2030 Agenda offers a shared framework for action and accountability. This session explores how urban leaders translate global goals into local strategies, integrating climate resilience, innovation, and inclusive planning. It will highlight how governance, collaboration, and long-term vision turn sustainability commitments into measurable urban transformation.

Five years remain to achieve the Paris Agreement goals—what progress has been made, and what still needs to be done? Following the global stocktake at COP29, how are cities planning mid- and long-term strategies to advance climate action?

AI's rapid growth creates unprecedented challenges: data centers face significant challenges related to water and energy resources, creating opportunities for infrastructure innovation. Veolia addresses this through strategic collaborations—providing sustainable solutions to tech leaders while leveraging their AI capabilities to optimize Veolia’s environmental services. This drives regional resilience and sustainable digital transformation.

This roundtable will focus on fostering dialogue between the representatives of Central and Eastern European (CEE) cities. By encouraging mutual learning and strengthening regional networks, the roundtable seeks to enhance the strategic capacity of CEE cities and amplify their voices in broader European and international stages.

With just five years left to meet the Paris Agreement goals, the climate crisis continues to intensify. TheCOP29’s global stocktake reveals uneven progress. Cities play a pivotal role in advancing climate action by bridging global governance, climate finance and mitigation priorities. This session will discuss the progress made thus far and explore the remaining steps needed for urban strategies to transform climate commitments into concrete results.

This interactive panel unites living-lab leaders from the United States, Finland, Sweden and Canada to reveal how cross-border partnerships turbo-charge smart-city innovation. Through rapid fire case studies and audience Q&A, speakers share proven tactics for launching, funding and scaling technology pilots, navigating regulation and turning data-driven trials into full-city deployments.

This session will showcase the Arab European Cities Dialogue (AECD) as a platform for fostering collaboration and partnerships between cities in the Arab and European regions. Building on its debut in Riyadh, the session seeks to maintain momentum and set the stage for the next edition in Madrid in 2027. It will highlight the importance of urban diplomacy and the role of dialogue on urban innovation in addressing shared challenges.

As global tensions and inequalities deepen, the role of cities as spaces for opportunity becomes essential. By embracing forward-thinking policies and a strong focus on wellbeing, governments are advancing towards fostering cities where individuals and communities can truly thrive. Smart cities, guided by inclusive governance and the responsible use of emerging technologies, can guarantee access to essential resources and become powerful engines for prosperity and fulfilling urban life.

This session will feature a video message from Mr. Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms of the European Commission, addressing the EU Agenda for Cities.

Discover real opportunities to collaborate with cities shaping the future. Learn about urban challenges and how municipalities are seeking innovative partners through open innovation labs, pilot programs, and advanced public procurement. A unique chance for companies to co-create solutions and take part in building the smart cities of tomorrow.

This conversation explores how AI, data integration, and emerging technologies are transforming city management—from predictive safety and digital housing aid to smart mobility and infrastructure. U.S. mayors will share lessons and priorities for scalable, inclusive solutions that strengthen efficiency, equity, and resilience.

Did you know that public procurement represents 14% of the EU’s GDP (around €2 trillion annually)? Discover how the ProcuraMED project is empowering local authorities to inspire sustainable change. This session will showcase digital tools, capacity-building actions, real-life cases and cooperation strategies driving innovative and green procurement.

What are green urban economies and how can cities harvest the opportunities they offer? Why is involving stakeholders crucial in this process? During this session you will discover fivestories from URBACT's networks of cities (COPE, EcoCore, In4Green, Let’s Go Circular!, and GreenPlace) and learn about their entry points to a successful green urban economy. Come and get inspired to start your journey towards greening your city's economy!

Together, Deloitte and Yes/Cities are creating sustainable positive change by empowering local innovation ecosystems to help cities thrive as a place where people want to live and work.

RSVP: https://www.deloitteconference.com/profile/form/index.cfm?PKformID=0x3101922abcd

The Closing Plenary (Mandatory Participation) will showcase the key outcomes of the Thematic Breakout Sessions, highlighting key insights and results from the 11 thematic clusters. It will bring together all participants to reflect on shared learnings and reinforce future cooperation across regions and cities.

Cities play a vital role on the global stage, not only as home to the majority of society’s stakeholders but also as hubs for inclusive dialogue and grassroots engagement and empowerment. This roundtable will examine how cities are amplifying their voices to defend democratic values while fostering collaboration and coordinated efforts across all levels of governance and sectors.

How are the cities raising their voice on the Global atmosphere? In an unstable world, can cities take part in the fight to preserve democratic values?

Final session of the year for the Innpulso Network’s Working Groups, gathering cities to reflect on progress made, lessons learned and future challenges. The event will feature key voices from the network and cities sharing outcomes from their 2025 collaborative work on innovation, experimentation and public knowledge transfer.

Cities are at the forefront of balancing economic growth, sustainability and digital transformation. Innovation hubs and forward-looking governance strategies are becoming essential to foster prosperity and resilience. This session will bring together urban leaders and innovators to explain how cities are embracing digitalization and new models of governance to accelerate sustainable development, drive innovation and ensure long-term economic vitality.

India is not only a key player in the new global order but also an emerging leader in sustainable, digital, and scalable urban solutions. This session will explore how urban transformation has become a tool of soft power and strategic projection, positioning India as a strong partner for European countries in areas such as AI, water management, sustainable mobility, and digital governance. A high-level panel will discuss how Spain and India can strengthen their ties through cities as platforms for diplomacy, technology, and development.

This space will address the current state of progress of the data spaces that will help drive a data economy thanks to the advancement of digitization of local authorities

The panel session will focus on identifying gaps in addressing global sustainability & resilience challenges particularly related to climate crisis and natural disasters faced by our cities. The panelists will also be asked to share their ideas and experiences regarding the use of innovative governance practices and technologies to address these challenges.

This roundtable brings together cities that are at different stages in building metropolitan cooperation—some with decades of experience, others taking their first steps. Their diversity offers a unique opportunity for mutual learning. How can we create flexible, inclusive, and effective governance frameworks that foster coordinated responses in fragmented urban territories?

InnoMatch and SPIN4EIC, part of the European Innovation Council’s (EIC) Innovation Procurement Programme, foster innovation by connecting EIC Awardees with public and private buyers to co-develop sustainable solutions. This session showcases how InnoMatch funds pilot deployments and how SPIN4EIC supports innovators and buyers in procurement tenders. Join us to explore collaboration opportunities and unlock the potential of innovation procurement.

Join us in celebrating the most innovative and impactful initiatives shaping the future of urban living. The World Smart City Awards recognize pioneering projects, visionary leaders, and transformative strategies that are driving progress in cities around the globe. This ceremony is a tribute to excellence, creativity, and collaboration in building smarter, more sustainable urban environments.

A relaxed moment to have a drink and mingle with other attendees at the venue’s main entrance after the World Smart City Awards gala.

EDINT will have 12 local entities and 36 companies in its initial stage. This event is aimed at users involved in eDINT in order to discuss the current status and next steps.

This event will gather city authorities, business associations, SMEs, academia and other experts to explore policies and innovations that help SMEs prepare for and adapt to disaster risks. Discussions will focus on SMEs’ roles as service providers and users, access to finance and insurance, risk-informed business models, and the use of technology and PPPs to strengthen resilience. More information: https://www.ariseglobalnetwork.org/quick/97431 

Smart City Expo is an ongoing conversation, with different editions taking around the world throughout the year. The ideas, conversations, meetings and business opportunities happening in Barcelona this week will continue and expand with abroad editions that will take root in their own local contexts. This session brings together hosts of upcoming editions to share how they’re turning ideas into action, using their events to spark innovation and drive real impact in their cities.

Territorial data, tied to specific geographic areas, is evolving into a predictive asset for local governance. Beyond description, it enables anticipation of citizens’ needs, resource optimisation, and crisis prevention. As public data becomes more open and actionable, new roles and skills emerge within local authorities. Considered a common good, collectively managed data ensures ethical use and shared value, becoming a sustainable driver of transformation and foresight in territorial policy.

How can cities use data analytics to anticipate future dynamics and ensure long-term resilience? What role does data play in enabling accurate predictions and effective city planning?

Urban environments strongly influence health, wellbeing, and access to resources. Laura Jones will explore the intersection of health, justice, wellbeing, and cities, showing how equitable policies and inclusive urban designs can create healthier, fairer communities. She will discuss strategies and approaches that support wellbeing and opportunity for all residents.

How do urban policies and practices contribute to caring for citizens and promoting a healthier, more equitable quality of life? In what ways can cities promote well-being as a foundation for thriving communities?

How do the cities envision their economic future? How are governments forecasting their sustainable growth? How are they working on looking for new economic drivers?

Insights from geospatial data are reshaping how cities anticipate and respond to urban change. By turning location-based information into actionable foresight, local leaders can optimize resources, improve services and strengthen sustainability. This dialogue will explore how geospatial data collection and predictive analytics empower cities to become more adaptive, efficient, livable, and smarter, bridging technology, governance, and citizen well-being.

As cities face increasing social and environmental challenges, wellbeing is becoming a central pillar of urban policy and planning. Beyond infrastructure and services, the focus is shifting toward inclusion, equity and quality of life. This session will explore how good governance, sustainable strategies and innovative urban models can embed wellbeing into decision-making, creating cities that foster fairer communities and a better quality of life.

Can cities turn data into foresight? With advanced analytics, predictive modeling, and strong data governance, urban leaders can anticipate change, optimize planning, and boost resilience. Leveraging the full power of data is key to advancing towards smarter, more sustainable, and future-ready cities.

How do urban policies and practices support the well-being of citizens and promote a healthier quality of life? In what ways can cities position social services as the foundation of thriving, resilient communities? This session will explore how cities are placing people at the center of urban agendas to ensure holistic wellness and care for all.

How can urban leaders unlock new potential to drive growth in a time when traditional economic engines are faltering? How are cities boosting entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems to create their own smart solutions? This session will showcase how cities can turn their visions for a sustainable future into tangible impact, through forecasting sustainable development, adopting innovative economic models, and identifying new drivers to advance a just and green transition.

Can GovTech transform urban environments? Emerging technologies in digital governance are redefining public services, civic engagement, and driving inclusive economic growth. With strategic leadership, thoughtful implementation, and robust security frameworks, tech can empower communities and build resilient, transparent local economies. As key enablers of this shift, city leaders are focusing on driving secure, efficient digital solutions to support stable, forward-thinking urban systems.

The international standard ISO18091 on reliable governments is valid for 169 countries and has been adopted as a national standard by 57. Its approach is indispensable for the comprehensive implementation of the 17 SDGs of the 2030 Agenda.  At ISO TC 176, a working space will be open to rethink it and contribute for a new agenda in which municipalities committed to tetrahelice lab will share their experiences on circular economy and reliability

This is a pitching session where the 10 mobility scale-ups coming from SUP25 programme will show their enabling technologies/mobility solutions to an audience of investors, corporates, and urban/mobility stakeholders. The session will end with networking designed to spark investment and partnership opportunities for sustainable urban mobility innovation.

Achieving climate goals in cities requires faster, systemic action beyond project-led approaches. The 5-UP Framework addresses implementation gaps through: UPDATING needs, UPSKILLING actors, UPGRADING pilots, embedding UPSCALING, and UPTAKING mechanisms. This session will share experiences from two cities applying the 5-UPs and reflect on upscaling’s role in shifting from pilots to systemic climate action.

The event explores how circular economy (CE) principles and innovative governance across the public and private sectors can transform waste management practices in Mediterranean cities. Featuring two panels, it highlights practical tools, entrepreneurial ecosystems and transformative labs from key Interreg Euro-MED projects, showing how collaboration and inclusive policymaking can catalyse systemic change, from textiles to wider CE opportunities.

The session will explain the main outcomes of this cross-sectoral initiative integrating sustainability into Madrid’s urban strategy through systemic collaboration. This ecosystem -comprising public administrations, firms, academia, experts and NGOs- co-develops actionable solutions in four strategic areas: habitability and housing, mobility and infrastructure, public space, and urban regeneration.