Australian IURC Partners Build Momentum Following World Cities Summit 2026

Australian cities and regions participating in the IURC Programme have reaffirmed the value of international cooperation and knowledge exchange following the World Cities Summit (WCS) 2026 in Singapore.

On 23 June 2026, representatives from all six Australian IURC pilot cities and regions met online with the EU and the IURC team to reflect on the programme’s activities in Singapore and discuss the next steps for delivering collaborative pilot actions across the Communities of Practice (CoPs).

After the Barcelona Event 2025, the IURC Workshop 2026 marked the second global plenary gathering of the IURC programme, bringing together cities and regions from Europe, Asia, Australasia, and Latin America partner countries to exchange experiences, strengthen partnerships and accelerate action on shared urban and regional challenges. The event was held alongside Singapore’s flagship World Cities Summit, creating additional opportunities for dialogue with city leaders, policymakers and international organisations.

A central feature of the IURC programme was a half-day workshop combining plenary discussions with an interactive “marketplace” where Communities of Practice presented their work and explored opportunities for cross-sector collaboration. The format enabled participants to gain insights into a wide range of thematic areas while identifying common priorities and potential areas for future cooperation.

Australian participants highlighted the breadth of expertise represented across the programme and welcomed the opportunity to engage directly with colleagues from Europe and other partner countries. Many described the event as an efficient way to understand how different Communities of Practice are approaching common urban challenges, while also creating new connections that will support future collaboration.

The meeting also celebrated the success of Community of Practice 12, which received the award for the “Most Innovative Community of Practice”. Australian representatives noted that the recognition reflected the group’s collaborative approach and its commitment to developing practical pilot actions capable of delivering tangible outcomes for participating cities and regions.

Delegates also emphasised the importance of face-to-face engagement in strengthening international partnerships. Informal discussions throughout the Summit generated new ideas, reinforced existing relationships and created opportunities to learn from peers tackling similar policy challenges across different regions of the world.

The integration of IURC activities within the World Cities Summit programme further enhanced the visibility of participating cities and regions. Australian representatives welcomed the opportunity to engage with a broader international audience and contribute to discussions on sustainable urban development alongside global city leaders. The participation of the Lord Mayors of Melbourne and Hobart, together with representatives from South Gippsland, showcased Australia’s strong engagement with the programme and highlighted innovative regional initiatives, including work undertaken through the Resilient Agri-Food Community of Practice.

The reflections also underlined one of the core strengths of the IURC Programme: creating an international community where cities and regions facing similar challenges can exchange practical experience, develop joint solutions and build long-term partnerships beyond individual events. Participants agreed that exposure to diverse perspectives and innovative practices continues to be one of the programme’s greatest assets.

Looking ahead, the focus now shifts from dialogue to implementation. Communities of Practice are entering a critical phase of the programme, working to refine and deliver pilot actions over the coming year. Participants were encouraged to make full use of the IURC Cloud as a platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing, while also exploring opportunities offered by the IURC Competitive Fund to support innovative projects and strengthen local commitment.

The Australian reflection meeting demonstrated how international exchanges such as the World Cities Summit continue to generate lasting value for IURC partners. By fostering collaboration between EU and non-EU cities and regions, the programme is helping translate shared knowledge into practical solutions that contribute to more sustainable, resilient and inclusive urban and regional development.