IURC Communities of Practice Showcase Collaboration and Innovation at World Cities Summit 2026 in Singapore

Singapore, 16 June 2026 – The International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Programme successfully concluded its 2nd Regional Thematic Workshop at the World Cities Summit (WCS) 2026, bringing together around 100 representatives from cities and regions across Europe, Asia, Australasia and Latin America to exchange experiences, strengthen partnerships and explore innovative approaches to sustainable urban and regional development.

Held at the World Cities Summit 2026, the workshop provided a unique platform for political leaders, practitioners and experts to reflect on the achievements of IURC Communities of Practice (CoPs) and identify new opportunities for international cooperation.

Opening Ceremony Highlights Shared Commitment to International Cooperation

The workshop opened with welcoming remarks by Errol Levy, Deputy Head of Mission (Chargé d’Affaires) of the European Union Delegation to Singapore, who highlighted the importance of city-to-city and region-to-region cooperation in addressing increasingly complex global challenges.

An opening address was delivered by Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi, Senior Parliamentary Secretary at Singapore’s Ministry of National Development, who emphasised the critical role of international partnerships, innovation and knowledge exchange in building resilient, liveable and sustainable cities.

The opening session concluded with a presentation by Andreas Röttger, EU FPI Regional Team, who provided an overview of the current state of implementation of the IURC programme, highlighting achievements across the Communities of Practice and outlining expectations for the next phase of cooperation.

Leadership Dialogue Explores the Future of Cities and Regions

A highlight of the workshop was the Leadership Dialogue on the Future of Cities and Regions, moderated by Pablo Gándara, IURC Team Leader, which brought together political leaders and experts from Europe, Asia, Australasia and Latin America to exchange perspectives on how international cooperation can support cities and regions in addressing complex urban, social, economic and environmental challenges.

The roundtable featured Nicholas Reece, Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Australia; Ana Abrunhosa, Mayor of Coimbra, Portugal; Dr Ashok George Verghese, Vice President of the Hindustan Group, Chennai, India; Daniela Reina, Advisor to the Mayor of Cali, Colombia; Cr Nathan Hersey, Mayor and Chair of One Gippsland Region, Australia; and Silvia Martínez Rocher, Head of Unit for European Affairs Coordination of the Valencia Region, Spain.

The discussion focused on the tangible benefits generated through IURC cooperation and how international partnerships are helping cities and regions transform shared challenges into opportunities for innovation, resilience and sustainable development.

Drawing on Melbourne’s participation in the Communities of Practice on affordable housing, social cohesion and innovation ecosystems, Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece reflected on how international cooperation has enabled the city to access knowledge, experiences and partnerships that would have been difficult to develop independently. Discussions explored lessons emerging from Melbourne’s cooperation with Berlin on affordable housing and social cohesion, as well as new opportunities arising from collaboration on startup ecosystems and innovation-driven economic development. Participants highlighted how international networks can help connect entrepreneurs, universities, investors and public authorities, creating stronger innovation ecosystems capable of generating jobs, attracting investment and supporting sustainable growth. The exchange also emphasised the role of innovation districts, pilot projects and cross-border partnerships in helping cities accelerate the transition from ideas to implementation while strengthening their global competitiveness.

Mayor Ana Abrunhosa shared Coimbra’s experience as a leading city within the International Human Smart Living Lab Network, highlighting the importance of placing citizens at the centre of innovation processes. Discussions focused on how cities can move beyond traditional consultation mechanisms towards genuine co-creation with residents, ensuring that innovation responds to real community needs. Participants also explored how tourism can contribute to economic prosperity while safeguarding cultural heritage and maintaining quality of life, demonstrating the importance of balancing economic development with social and environmental sustainability.

Representing the City of Cali, Daniela Reina discussed how international cooperation has become a catalyst for urban transformation and social inclusion. The dialogue explored the concrete benefits that cooperation programmes can generate for citizens, from improved public services to stronger local partnerships. Participants agreed that social cohesion and trust remain fundamental pillars of successful urban development and that local leadership plays a critical role in ensuring that transformation processes deliver tangible benefits for communities.

Addressing the challenges of economic transition, Cr Nathan Hersey shared experiences from Australia’s Gippsland Region, where the Latrobe Valley is undergoing a major transformation away from coal dependency. Discussions examined lessons learned from cooperation with regions across Europe and Asia, including approaches to creating new employment opportunities, supporting affected communities and promoting a just transition. Participants also highlighted the growing role of agriculture and sustainable food systems in driving regional resilience and economic diversification.

Silvia Martínez Rocher outlined how the Valencia Region is linking affordable housing, social cohesion and climate resilience through integrated policy approaches. The discussion explored lessons emerging from exchanges with Melbourne, Berlin and Singapore, as well as the increasing role of climate data and artificial intelligence in supporting evidence-based decision-making. Participants highlighted the need to address climate adaptation and housing affordability together, recognising that social cohesion is becoming an increasingly strategic priority for cities and regions facing multiple transitions simultaneously.

Representing academia, Dr Ashok George Verghese emphasised the growing importance of universities and research institutions in helping cities move from concepts to implementation. Discussions focused on the practical contribution that academic institutions can make to pilot projects, innovation ecosystems and evidence-based policymaking. Participants highlighted several examples where research cooperation has directly informed public policy and reinforced the value of stronger collaboration between academia, government and the private sector.

The dialogue concluded with a series of reflections on the future of international cooperation. Panelists shared examples of ideas adopted from partner cities and regions, considered how they would demonstrate the value of IURC cooperation to citizens and taxpayers, and identified priorities for future collaboration. A strong consensus emerged that international cooperation is increasingly becoming an essential tool for accelerating practical solutions, fostering innovation, strengthening social cohesion and building resilience in cities and regions around the world.

CoP Marketplace Demonstrates Practical Solutions and Pilot Projects

The second part of the workshop featured an interactive Community of Practice Marketplace, designed to showcase ongoing initiatives and facilitate peer-to-peer exchanges among participating cities and regions. At the marketplace, 11 Communities of Practice represented at the workshop presented their work to peers from across the IURC network.

Through interactive discussions, CoP coordinators and members presented tools, methodologies and experiences related to the design and implementation of pilot projects. Particular attention was given to overcoming common barriers faced by local/regional governments when testing innovative solutions before scaling them up.

Participants exchanged practical insights on project management, stakeholder engagement, monitoring frameworks and peer-learning approaches that support successful implementation. After rotating through several CoPs. delegates could vote for the “Most innovative“, “Most relevant to my work“, and “Would like to know more” CoPs.

The session generated lively discussions and enabled delegates to identify new opportunities for cooperation across thematic areas including climate action, circular economy, urban mobility, digitalisation and regional innovation.

Reporting Session Highlights Community Achievements

During the reporting session, the Communities of Practice receiving the highest number of participant votes presented updates on their recent activities and shared expectations for upcoming study visits and collaborative actions.

The presentations demonstrated the growing maturity of the IURC network and showcased concrete examples of how international cooperation is translating into practical results on the ground.

Delegates highlighted the value of continued exchanges and reaffirmed their commitment to transforming ideas generated through the programme into tangible projects and long-term partnerships.

Looking Ahead: Building the Next Phase of IURC Cooperation

Closing remarks from Viktorija Kaidalova and Lutz Köppen of the European Commission (FPI- REGIO) reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting the IURC and highlighted the importance of maintaining the momentum generated through the Communities of Practice. IURC Team Leader Pablo Gándara expressed his gratitude to the CLC Singapore for partnering with the IURC project and to the delegates for their continuous commitment throughout the numerous online and onsite sessions.

Participants agreed that the workshop had reinforced a shared vision for the future of cities and regions—one based on innovation, sustainability, resilience and strong international partnerships.

The workshop concluded with a summary of key outcomes, next steps and future collaboration opportunities presented by the IURC team leader Pablo Gándara. Delegates then participated in a networking lunch, providing a final opportunity for them to deepen connections, explore future collaborations and continue discussions initiated during the workshop and follow-up study visits.

The 2nd IURC Regional Thematic Workshop once again demonstrated the value of international cooperation in addressing shared urban and regional challenges and reinforced the role of the IURC Programme as a catalyst for innovation, knowledge exchange and collaborative action worldwide.

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