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Category: News from Asia & Australasia

COP 9 Deep-Dive Webinar: Exploring Data-Driven and Digital Governance in Hamburg and Osaka

On 15 April, the IURC Community of Practice on Data-driven and Digital Governance (CoP9) held a deep-dive webinar, where Osaka (Japan) and Hamburg (Germany) shared their approaches to digital and data-driven urban development. Digital Strategy Hamburg Hamburg presented its digital strategy, emphasising a strong people-first approach to digital transformation. The strategy, now in its third edition, positions digitalisation as the...

IURC EU, Asia & Australasia: Cities and Regions Move from Cooperation to Implementation in 2026

More than 20 Communities of Practice drive concrete action on mobility, climate, innovation and regional transition The International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Asia and Australasia programme has entered a new phase in early 2026, as cities and regions across Europe, Asia and Australasia move from initial exchanges to structured cooperation and implementation. Between January and March 2026, the programme...

Leh Hosts Trans-Himalayan Climate Conclave showcasing Global Collaboration through IURC

The Municipal Committee of Leh, in collaboration with key national and international partners, successfully hosted the Trans-Himalayan Urban Climate Conclave on 10–11 April 2026. The event brought together policymakers, experts, and institutions to advance climate-resilient and net-zero pathways for Himalayan cities. The conclave served as an important platform to address the unique challenges faced by high-altitude cities, including water scarcity,...

Reimagining Ecotourism: IURC Webinar Highlights Smart, Sustainable Innovations in Malaysia

The International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Programme convened a Deep Dive Online Thematic Webinar on March 31st, 2026 under Community of Practice (CoP) 3, focusing on the use of integrated smart technologies to promote sustainable ecotourism in Seberang Perai, Malaysia. The session showcased three innovative pilot actions led by the Seberang Perai City Council: the AutoCity SpiderWeb Ecosystem, an...

EU–Japan Cooperation Enters Intensive Implementation Phase

The EU-funded International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) programme has entered an intensive implementation phase in 2026, further strengthening city-to-city and region-to-region cooperation between the European Union and partner countries. Cooperation is structured through Communities of Practice (CoPs)—thematic platforms coordinated by leading EU regions or cities—which bring together public authorities, industry, research organisations, and universities under a quadruple-helix approach. Each...

IURC Strengthens EU–Australia Collaboration on Climate-Resilient Viticulture

The International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) continues to advance international cooperation through its Agrifood and Forestry Community of Practice, with a dedicated focus on strengthening collaboration in climate-resilient viticulture. On 31 March 2026, experts from Europe and Australia convened for a specialised viticulture subgroup meeting, bringing together researchers and regional representatives to explore shared challenges and opportunities in wine...

IURC Advances Regional Cooperation in Resilient Agrifood and Forestry

On 31 March 2026, partners from Europe and Australia convened for the second Regional Community of Practice (RCoP) meeting, focusing on the finalisation of the Regional Cooperation Action Plan (RCAP). The session brought together representatives from regions including Western Greece, Gippsland, Val d’Oise, and Southwest Western Australia, alongside IURC coordinators. A Roadmap Around Four Key Activities The meeting confirmed that...

IURC Regions Advance Forestry Cooperation between Europe, Chile and Australasia

The IURC Region-to-Region Community of Practice on Resilient Agriculture and Forestry (CoP #2) has strengthened international collaboration through two dedicated meetings held on 24 and 27 March 2026, bringing together partners from Europe, Chile and Australasia to explore joint approaches to sustainable forest management. They are members of the sub-group "resilient forestry", including Trier Region (Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany), Southwest (Australia), Concepción-Biobio...

CoP #7 Food Policy Overview: Scale-up Efforts in Reducing Food Lost & Waste

The CoP #7 Food Policy and Circular Food Solutions completed two (2) CoP meetings on the 23rd of February and 18th of March. On the 26th of March, they completed the first deep dive webinar on food loss and waste reductions in partnership with Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the IURC programme. Screenshot Screenshot The key outcome of this joint...

From Slovenia to New Zealand: Cultivating Global Innovation in Agri-Food

Can international collaboration solve the future of food? On March 12, 2026, a significant step was taken toward answering that question. Facilitated by the EU International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) programme, an online Academic Exchange Workshop brought together the Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region (RRA LUR) and Massey University in New Zealand. The goal? To bridge the gap between Europe and the Pacific...