Category: News from Asia & Australasia

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...

Driving Innovation and Sustainability: IURC Global Thematic Networking Event @ #SCEWC 2025 in Barcelona

Barcelona, 4–6 November 2025 The International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) programme wrapped up its inspiring Global Thematic Networking Event during the Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC25) in Barcelona, bringing together more than 240 delegates from 130+ pilot cities and regions across Europe, Asia, Australasia, and the Americas. Over four days, the event showcased how city-to-city and region-to-region partnerships drive innovation, sustainability, and resilience worldwide. The event, the...

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...

India Launches IURC Asia & Australasia Programme at the Urban Infrastructure Finance Festival 2025

New Delhi, 29 October 2025 — The International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Asia & Australasia Programme officially launched its India component during the Urban Infrastructure Finance Festival 2025, held under the theme “Inclusive, Resilient, Sustainable Cities.” The Kick-off Meeting for IURC India, organized as part of the festival, marked a major milestone in advancing international city-to-city cooperation between the European Union (EU) and India....

IURC AA – Regions – 6 – Work Programme for Clusters

Around 30 delegates from EU and non-EU regions joined discussions about the upcoming IURC event in Barcelona (3-6 November 2025), including logistics, agenda, and regional participation in various thematic clusters and breakout discussions. The conversation ended with participants expressing their regional interests and priorities for various sessions, emphasizing cooperation and alignment on clean energy, industrial modernization and blue economy. The...

IURC AA Cities Explore Inclusive Urban Regeneration and Affordable Housing Solutions in Deep Dive Session

On 27 October 2025, the International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Asia & Australasia programme convened its third deep dive session under the Urban Regeneration & Social Cohesion cluster, bringing together cities from Europe and Asia-Australasia to exchange approaches on inclusive neighbourhood development, affordable housing, and innovative governance. Moderated by Hannah Paig from Hong Kong, the session highlighted six diverse...

IURC Progresses Sustainable Tourism Collaboration Between Prato (Italy) and Seberang Perai (Malaysia)

Representatives from the European Union’s International Urban and Regional Cooperation Programme (IURC) convened partners from Prato, Italy, and Seberang Perai, Malaysia, to advance joint work on sustainable tourism initiatives as part of the programme’s Strategic Sectors Cluster on job creation and community livelihoods. Discussions underscored the EU’s continued support in fostering global urban innovation and subnational diplomacy. During the meeting,...