Author: indy

IURC Referenced in European Commission’s “EU Agenda for Cities” Communication

The European Commission has released the Communication “An EU Agenda for Cities: Driving Growth and Prosperity”, presenting a comprehensive framework for sustainable and integrated urban development across Europe. The document outlines how the EU intends to support cities of all sizes in addressing shared challenges and preparing for long-term competitiveness, resilience and social well-being. In its section on international cooperation, the...

EU Commission’s Panorama Magazine Highlights IURC’s Global Impact

The European Commission’s flagship regional-policy magazine Panorama has featured the International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) programme in its latest online edition. The article showcases how IURC connects cities and regions across continents to collaborate on sustainable urban development, innovation, and regional transformation. The Panorama feature highlights IURC’s growing network of more than 130 participating cities and regions worldwide and underscores the programme’s role...

IURC Country Leads from Australasia Present Phase II Progress

Professor Bruce Wilson and Dr Paul Dalziel, IURC Country Leads for Australia and New Zealand, spoke in early December at the 48th Annual Conference of the Australia and New Zealand Regional Science Association International, organised in collaboration with the Regional Studies Association. The two-day conference took place at the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand. Regional Resilience and Smart...

Madrid and Zhengzhou Explore Collaboration on Circular Economy and Smart City Projects

On 28 November 2025, representatives from the City of Madrid and the City of Zhengzhou took part in a dedicated exchange organised by the IURC Asia & Australasia programme. The session explored opportunities for cooperation on circular economy solutions, smart city development, and environmental technologies, with the aim of establishing a structured working framework for future collaboration. Both sides shared...

Messina and Zhengzhou Explore Collaboration in Sustainable Tourism and Cultural Heritage

On 27 November 2025, the cities of Messina, Italy, and Zhengzhou, China, took part in an exchange organised within the framework of the EU-funded International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) programme. Moderated by Qian Wang from IURC Asia & Australasia, the session explored potential collaboration in sustainable tourism, cultural heritage preservation, and public event management, with a particular focus on...

Two Highlight Videos Showcase IURC Cities and Regions Advancing Global Cooperation in Barcelona

IURC pilot cities and regions from Europe, Latin America & the Caribbean, Asia & Australasia, and North America gathered in Barcelona from 4–6 November 2025. They met during the Smart Cities Expo World Congress to advance the EU-funded International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) programme.More than 240 IURC delegates met to discuss potential pilot projects, deepen thematic collaboration, and prepare...

Seberang Perai’s Multi-Stakeholder Dialogues on Sustainable Smart Eco-Tourism

The EU-funded International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Asia–Australasia Programme extends its appreciation to the Office of the Chief Minister of Penang and the Mayor of Seberang Perai for coordinating a series of multi-stakeholder (quadruple helix) dialogues in preparation for Seberang Perai City Council’s participation in the IURC Global Thematic Networking Workshops at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2025 in Barcelona from 4–6 November 2025. Between September and October 2025, Seberang Perai actively...

IURC Launch Featured in Indian Newspapers

1 November 2025 | India Following its official launch in New Delhi during the Urban Infrastructure Finance Festival 2025, the International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Programme has been featured in multiple Indian newspapers, including The Earth News (Ladakh Daily) and Dainik Bhaskar Hindi. The articles highlight the selection of six Indian pilot cities — Chennai, Pimpri Chinchwad, Jabalpur, Cuttack, Gangtok, and Leh — under the IURC Asia &...

IURC brings 240+ global city leaders to Barcelona for its Global Thematic Networking Event

Barcelona, 4–6 November 2025 The International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Programme will gather over 240 delegates from 132 cities and regions across Europe, Asia, Australasia and the Americas for its Global Thematic Networking Event alongside Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) 2025. The three-day workshop is the largest IURC convening since the programme’s launch and focuses on accelerating climate action, innovation and international partnerships.  ...

Subnational Diplomacy and International Engagement in IURC Webinar

29 October 2025. The International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Asia & Australasia programme held its first session on Subnational Diplomacy and International Engagement, bringing together 31 participants from across the region to exchange experiences and insights on how cities and regions can strengthen their global partnerships and diplomatic capacity. The session, moderated by Pablo Gándara, IURC Asia & Australasia Team Leader, opened...