SCEWC 2025 ANZ Joint Statement

Australia and New Zealand: It's time to step up on the global smart cities stage

In November, over 30 delegates from Australia and New Zealand joined 27,000 global leaders at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona—the largest delegation ASCA has coordinated to date.

What we saw was clear: cities around the world are moving fast on AI, digital twins, climate tech, regenerative design and trusted data sharing. Nations are collaborating, investing and shaping the standards that will define the next decade of urban development.

But here's the challenge—Australia and New Zealand remain underrepresented. We had no joint formal national presence. Our participation continues to rely on volunteer leadership and self-funded professionals.

This matters because the Expo provides direct access to global manufacturers, innovators, investors and policymakers that we simply can't access at this scale back home. Without a stronger presence, we risk falling behind on influencing policy, engaging with cutting-edge innovation and positioning our own expertise on the world stage.

Together with ASCA, IPWEA and Smart Cities Council ANZ, we're calling for a strategic uplift in Australia and New Zealand's global engagement—including a coordinated presence at SCEWC 2026, structured study tours and increased investment in local innovation, shared infrastructure and sovereign digital capability.

Our cities are facing intensifying pressures: housing affordability, climate impacts, ageing infrastructure, workforce constraints and tight budgets. The solutions exist—but we need to show up, shape the conversation and bring the best ideas home.