On 31 October 2025, the Global Observance of World Cities Day, will be linked to people-centred smart cities. It will showcase how data-driven decision making, technology, and AI can be used to improve urban life and recover from current shocks and crises. It will also focus on promoting smart city initiatives centered on people.
Moderator: Ms. Vanessa Velasco, Habitat Chief Secretary, City of Bogotá Setting the scene: Leveraging people-centred smart city initiatives and strategies to advance housing, informal settlements and urban basic services. Keynote speaker: Mr. Jeroen Klink, Director, Center for Favela Studies (CEFAVELA), Brazil Panelists: Mr. Manuel de Araújo, Mayor of Quelimane, Mozambique Ms. Hélène Chartier, Director of Urban Planning, C40 Cities Ms. Oreoluwa Finnih, Special Adviser on Sustainable Development Goals, Lagos State, Nigeria Mr. Ramiro López-Ghio, Colombia Country Representative, Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) Ms. Nevana Srikissoon, Project Manager, eThekwini Municipality, South Africa Mr. Julián Suarez, Manager, Sustainable Territorial Development, Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) Q&A Session (10 minutes)
