City Diplomacy in Action: Institute for Public Diplomacy Members Attend Smart City Expo World Congress 2026
Several members of the Institute for Public Diplomacy attended the Smart City Expo World Congress 2026, held on 3–5 November.
Recognized as one of the world's leading international events on urban innovation, the Congress brought together representatives of governments, municipalities, international organizations, academia, businesses, technology innovators and other stakeholders to explore the future of cities.
The programme addressed a broad range of issues, including responsible artificial intelligence, digital governance, sustainable mobility, energy efficiency, urban resilience, affordable housing, accessibility and people-centred urban development.
For the Institute for Public Diplomacy, the event also highlighted the growing importance of municipal diplomacy as a dimension of contemporary international relations. Cities and municipalities are no longer merely local administrative units: they are increasingly active participants in international cooperation, knowledge exchange, sustainable development initiatives and the implementation of global policy commitments.
Municipal diplomacy creates opportunities to connect local governments with international institutions, academic communities and civil society, while bringing the realities and priorities of local communities into global discussions.
The Institute views smart-city development not simply as a technological challenge, but as a question of governance, representation and social inclusion. Urban transformation must be technologically advanced while remaining participatory, accessible and responsive to the needs of diverse communities.
The cities of tomorrow will be shaped not only by technological innovation, but also by effective municipal diplomacy, international cooperation and meaningful citizen participation.
