Category: News from Asia & Australasia

The fifth session of Region-to-Regional Cooperation brought together 50+ participants from various regions including Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, and Japan to discuss cooperation in industrial transition, agribusiness, blue economy, and clean energy. The meeting featured a presentation from the Region of Valencia on their Blue Economy Strategy and included breakout sessions for participants to discuss specific thematic areas. The...

In a significant step to strengthen international ties, the latest IURC Asia & Australasia online session brought together Chinese pilot cities, European Union officials, and regional leaders to explore how smart city innovation, green energy, and sustainable industrial collaboration can drive long-term growth. Part of the long-standing International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) programme, the meeting served as a platform for Chinese cities to present achievements...

16 October 2025 ? Online Deep Dive Session The International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Asia & Australasia Thematic Network held its third Global Deep Dive on Climate Adaptation, connecting city representatives from Kawasaki (Japan), Seberang Perai (Malaysia), and Kyoto (Japan). The discussion highlighted how cities are transforming climate challenges into opportunities for governance reform, technological innovation, and citizen-led resilience. From Industrial Transition to...

The International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) programme hosted a successful webinar on Horizon Europe ? Opportunities for IURC Pilot Cities and Regions, bringing together around 50 participants from Europe, Asia, and Australasia. The session explored how local and regional governments can engage in the EU?s flagship research and innovation programme to foster global partnerships and sustainable urban development. The...

13 October 2025 ? Online Deep Dive Session The International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Asia & Australasia Thematic Network held its second Global Deep Dive on Climate Adaptation, focusing on Nature-Based Solutions (NbS), Financing Strategies, and Community Involvement. The session gathered experts and representatives from Adelaide (Australia), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), and the Cluj Metropolitan Area (Romania) to exchange practical experiences and inspire cross-regional learning. From Strategy to Implementation Opening...

9 October 2025 ? Online Deep Dive Session The International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Asia & Australasia Thematic Network hosted its first Global Deep Dive Session on Climate Adaptation, connecting experts and city leaders from India, Malaysia, and Italy to share experiences and practical solutions for strengthening urban resilience. The event marked another milestone in advancing city-to-city cooperation on climate action within the IURC...

7 October 2025 ? Online session The International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Asia & Australasia Thematic Network hosted an engaging session on Climate Adaptation in Urban Areas, showcasing initiatives from pilot cities Chennai (India), Sofia (Bulgaria), and Pimpri Chinchwad (India). The meeting brought together city practitioners, experts, and IURC partners to exchange experiences on building urban resilience through integrated adaptation measures. Adapting Cities for a...

More than 50 regional development experts joined the Region-to-Region Cooperation on Innovation webinar on 1 October 2025, marking the start of the IURC Asia & Australasia Thematic Network breakout sessions. Divided into four clusters?Industrial Modernisation, Agri-Food, Clean Energy, and Blue Economy?participants exchanged ideas on pilot actions, key stakeholders, and implementation methods to advance regional cooperation and innovation. Moderated by Pablo Gándara, Bruce Wilson, Paul Dalziel and Eva Vila, the session...