From October 16-18, 2025, the historic city of Xi’an, China, hosted the United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s (UNIDO) flagshipBridge for Citiesevent. Under the theme“Shaping Sustainable Cities with Technology and Innovation,”the global forum brought together over 600 urban leaders, industry experts, and international organizations to forge collaborative pathways for a sustainable urban future.

The event served as a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, focusing on leveraging digital tools and green technologies to address pressing urban challenges. A key highlight included sessions on digital industrial transformation, where cities shared strategies for harnessing AI, IoT, and data-driven solutions to boost economic resilience and inclusivity.

Side events, such as one hosted by UNIDO’s City Mission Studio in partnership with the Global Digital Economy Cities Alliance (DEC40) and the UNITAR Global SDGs and Leadership Development Center, facilitated city-to-city collaboration and emphasized the critical role of cultivating local digital talent. Participants engaged in dialogues on integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into urban planning, reinforcing the commitment to building smarter, more connected, and environmentally responsible cities worldwide.

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