Huawei and Barcelona City Council Join Forces for Smart City Innovations
Strategic Partnership for Smart City Initiatives
At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona, Huawei and the Barcelona City Council solidified their partnership with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU). This agreement aims to bolster efforts in advancing various smart city initiatives, specifically in areas such as urban command centers, intelligent buildings, connectivity, green energy, and the development of ICT talent.
The collaboration emphasizes both organizations' dedication to digital transformation and the promotion of shared projects that cultivate sustainable urban environments. The partnership will leverage Huawei's extensive expertise in information and communication technologies (ICT) as well as the City's resources to create a robust framework for technological innovation in Barcelona.
In particular, the initiatives focused on ICT talent development will be supported by the Huawei Spain Academy, the first training institution of its kind in Europe. Established recently, this academy aims to foster digital skills and technological know-how in Spain, forming an integral part of the broader project driven by Barcelona Activa's IT Academy, a center known for its proficiency in training students in programming and big data.
The signing ceremony garnered significant attention and featured participation from key figures across both organizations. Barcelona's Mayor, Jaume Collboni, alongside Deputy Mayor Jordi Valls and other notable officials, represented the city council, while Huawei was represented by Leo Chen, Corporate Senior Vice President, and Andrés Yin, CEO of Huawei Iberia.
During the event, Mayor Collboni emphasized the importance of this partnership in reinforcing Barcelona's stature as a technology capital. He articulated, "This collaboration significantly enhances our commitment to digital inclusion, ensuring equitable access to technology. Together, we prioritize the advancement of digital competencies through initiatives like the IT Academy of Barcelona Activa."
Similarly, Leo Chen articulated Huawei's firm commitment to innovation and the digital transformation of urban spaces. He remarked, "This agreement underscores our unwavering dedication to fostering a smarter, more sustainable urban ecosystem. Barcelona stands as a global exemplar of technology and sustainability, and we take pride in contributing to initiatives that guide cities towards becoming more efficient and inclusive."
The strategic alliance enhances the existing collaborative framework between the Barcelona City Council and Huawei, directing their efforts toward crafting innovative solutions capable of facilitating an integrated digital environment within the metropolis, while also prioritizing sustainability. Following this partnership, Huawei will leverage its technological proficiencies in areas like ICT infrastructure, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence, to assist Barcelona in its ambitious digital transformation journey.
With aspirations of setting Barcelona as a benchmark for smart city practices in Europe globally, Huawei aims to establish a replicable model of innovation, demonstrating how urban centers can effectively harness technology for collective benefit. This commitment underlines Huawei's role as a catalyst for urban innovation, enabling cities across the globe to pursue more intelligent and sustainable growth.
In conclusion, the agreement between Huawei and the Barcelona City Council marks a pivotal step towards realizing a more connected, efficient, and sustainable urban landscape. This collaboration not only strengthens the city's technological framework but also paves the way for a future where smart solutions become integral to urban living, benefiting all residents and stakeholders involved.