Author: indy


Milan and Zhengzhou Explore Partnership on Sustainable Urban Food Systems

Milan and Zhengzhou held their first online meeting on 9 January 2026 to explore collaboration opportunities under the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (MUFPP), marking the start of a structured dialogue between the two cities focused on policy learning, sustainable urban food systems, and international cooperation. During the session, the Milan team introduced the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact, outlining...

Madrid and Guangzhou Strengthen Urban Collaboration on Smart City Development and Circular Economy

Representatives from Madrid and Guangzhou held a bilateral meeting on 17 December 2025 to explore potential collaboration on urban development and circular economy initiatives, marking a new step in strengthening cooperation between European and Chinese cities.  During the discussions, the Madrid delegation presented the city’s experience in waste management and renewable energy, with a particular focus on the Valdemingómez Technology...

Indian Cities Progress Global Cooperation under IURC: PCMC and Gangtok Forge International Partnerships

Following their active participation at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2025 in Barcelona and continued city-to-city engagement under the International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) programme, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and Gangtok Municipal Corporation have strengthened international collaboration to advance sustainable, inclusive, and innovation-driven urban development. As part of their international engagement, PCMC deepened dialogue with representatives from the City of Leuven (Belgium) during a high-level visit to Pune...

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...