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Smart City Expo World Congress 2025: A Landmark Event

The Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) concluded its record-breaking 2025 edition, attracting an impressive 27,000 attendees from 143 countries. Organized by Fira de Barcelona, this annual event is the premier international gathering focusing on the innovations in urban development and smart solutions for cities.

A Call for Urban Transformation

Under the theme “The Time for Cities,” SCEWC 2025 emphasized the critical role urban areas play in leading global transformation. With a spotlight on Artificial Intelligence (AI), the expo highlighted how advanced technologies can serve as catalysts for change, pushing cities toward more sustainable and efficient futures.

The director of the SCEWC, Ugo Valenti, remarked, “Cities are clearly embracing their role and responsibility in the future. The challenges are complex, but they are facing them head-on and steering towards action. Artificial Intelligence has established itself as a critical tool, not just for efficiency but for accelerating the transformation that metropolises urgently need.” His insights reflect the collective urgency felt by urban leaders worldwide.

Innovation and Collaboration

This year’s event featured the inaugural AI-enabled Cities area, demonstrating how cities globally could harness AI in addressing urban challenges. This arena allowed delegates to witness firsthand how cutting-edge technologies are being integrated into everyday city management and planning.

In tandem with the SCEWC, Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress, Tomorrow.Building, and Tomorrow.Blue Economy were also held, enhancing the dialogue on sustainable urban living. Over 1,190 exhibitors, including tech giants like Google, Microsoft, Deloitte, and Nvidia, showcased their innovations in urban solutions. This collaboration between industry leaders, startups, and academia serves to inspire a comprehensive approach to urbanization challenges.

The expo gathered over 600 international experts, including influential figures like Nikki Greenberg and Carlo Ratti, who engaged in discussions about the future of urban governance and mobility. Their contributions underscore the importance of inter-disciplinary collaboration in shaping the city landscapes of tomorrow.

Startups: The Innovators of Tomorrow

SCEWC also created a platform for emerging enterprises through the Innovation Playground, connecting investors with nearly 350 startups eager to showcase their groundbreaking technologies. This initiative allows fresh ideas and innovations to percolate within the expansive smart city domain, proving vital for the progress of urban transformation.

Recognizing Excellence in Urban Development

During the World Smart City Awards, the Italian capital, Rome, was honored with the title of Smart City of 2025. This award recognizes groundbreaking initiatives that are redefining urban experiences globally. Additionally, Maimunah Mohd Sharif, the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, was acknowledged for her relentless commitment to advancing new urban paradigms on a global scale.

As SCEWC prepares for its fifteenth edition, scheduled for November 3–5, 2026, it is poised to continue facilitating essential discussions and innovations that will steer our cities toward a sustainable future. With ongoing advancements in technology and a collective commitment to urban enhancement, the future looks promising. The call for cities to lead in this global transformation has never been more pronounced, and the outcomes of SCEWC 2025 signal a pivotal moment in urban development.

Smart City Expo World Congress has solidified its role as a critical platform for dialogue between city leaders and tech innovators, instrumental in steering urban environments towards intelligent, sustainable futures.