Category: News from IURC

IURC AA Launches Circular Economy Cluster with Global Introductory Webinar

On 1 October 2025, the International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Asia & Australasia programme launched its Circular Economy Thematic Cluster (Cluster 4) with an introductory webinar attended by 59 participants from 17 cities in 10 countries. The session marked the beginning of a global exchange on how cities can rethink waste, food systems, and resource use while piloting innovative solutions to accelerate the...

IURC LAC Thematic Cluster Session Advances Regional Cooperation

On 1 October 2025, the International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Latin America & Caribbean programme hosted its third session of the Regional Thematic Cluster series, gathering 41 participants from more than 30 regions. The meeting focused on fostering regional partnerships in areas such as clean energy, blue economy, industrial modernisation, and agri-food, and served as a stepping stone toward the development of Regional Cooperation...

IURC Asia & Australasia Regions Advance Cooperation on Clean Energy and Blue Economy

1 October 2025 – Online session The International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Asia & Australasia Thematic Network hosted its third Region-to-Region Cooperation on Innovation webinar on Clean Energy and Blue Economy, bringing together 44 representatives from regional governments, research institutions, and development agencies across Europe and Asia. The event highlighted the growing momentum for cross-continental collaboration on hydrogen technology, renewable energy, industrial modernisation, and just transition strategies—key...

IURC LAC Webinar Showcases Urban Innovation in Mobility and Transport

The International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Latin America programme held its fourth thematic webinar on 30 September 2025, bringing together city representatives from Europe and Latin America to exchange best practices in sustainable urban mobility and transport. The session attracted over 20 registrants and featured presentations from Madrid (Spain), Umeå (Sweden), Fortaleza (Brazil), Concepción (Chile), and Mérida (Mexico). Building Transatlantic Partnerships for...

IURC LAC Webinar Explores Urban Regeneration and Social Cohesion

On 30 September 2025, the International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Latin America programme held its fifth thematic webinar, bringing together city leaders and experts to discuss strategies for urban regeneration and social cohesion. The event attracted close to 30 registrants and featured presentations from Buenos Aires (Argentina), Famalicão (Portugal), Salvador da Bahia (Brazil), and Barcelona (Spain). Framing the Debate: Urban Regeneration in...

IURC AA – Deep Dive on Urban Innovation

The International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Asia & Australasia Programme convened its deep dive session 1 on Urban Innovation, bringing together thought leaders and city representatives from Christchurch (New Zealand), Bologna (Italy), Cork (Ireland), and Jeonju (Korea) to spotlight how diverse urban ecosystems are advancing innovation for sustainable growth. Against the backdrop of IURC Phase II, the session provided...

IURC AA Cities Exchange Insights on Digital Transition and Data Utilisation

The International Urban and Regional Cooperation Programme (IURC) Asia & Australasia hosted its second Urban Innovation Deep Dive Session, focusing on Cities & Data. The event brought together experts from Barcelona, Coimbra, Osaka, Kobe, and Pimpri Chinchwad, highlighting how cities across Europe and Asia are leveraging GIS, BIM, AI, and smart city strategies to drive digital transition. Barcelona: Digital Twins and Urban Data...

IURC AA Regions Present Clean Energy & Blue Economy Initiatives

The International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Asia & Australasia programme held its second thematic session on 23 September, gathering 51 participants from 10 regions across Europe, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. The focus was on regional cooperation in clean energy and the blue economy, with regions presenting concrete strategies for hydrogen ecosystems, offshore wind, geothermal, waste-heat recovery, solar innovation,...

IURC-LAC Webinar Showcases Urban Innovation

On 23 September 2025, the International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Latin America and the Caribbean programme hosted its third webinar, this time dedicated to urban innovation. The session gathered 17 participants for technical discussions and city presentations that highlighted how digital tools, sustainability initiatives, and collaborative governance are shaping the future of urban areas. The exchange served as preparation for the upcoming Smart City...

IURC Cities Showcase Best Practices on Tourism, Mega-Events and City Branding

The second and final session of the IURC Asia & Australasia Thematic Network on Strategic Sectors brought together 33 participants to explore innovative approaches in cultural heritage, mega-events, sustainable tourism, and city branding. Cities from Italy, Australia, Malaysia, and Poland shared their strategies, challenges, and opportunities, while also setting the stage for deeper collaboration at the upcoming Smart Cites Expo World Congress in...