UNITAR Online Catalogue
U4SSC Ninth Meeting of United for Smart Sustainable Cities
People
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) (1976), UNECE (3081), UNEP (502), UN HABITAT, Convention on Biological Diversity, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), FAO (613), United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), UNDP (4921), UNECA (682), UNESCO, UNEP FI (1842), UNFCCC, UNIDO, UNOPS (3428), UNU, UN Women, WMO, WMO
Background
The “United for Smart Sustainable Cities” (U4SSC) is a United Nations initiative, coordinated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), , the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). Additionally, U4SSC is supported by the 17 other UN Agencies and Programmes, including UNITAR. The United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) initiative, established in 2016, supports cities and communities worldwide in leveraging digital technologies to accelerate their transition toward smart, sustainable, and resilient urban futures. Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11, and the Pact for the Future, U4SSC serves as a global platform to shape inclusive policies, foster innovation, and advance digital transformation for people and the planet.
Event Objectives
The Ninth Meeting of the United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) was convened to review key deliverables and projects, provide updates from thematic groups, and present the U4SSC Annual Work and Programme Plan for 2025-2026. The meeting underscored the importance of collaboration, innovation, and strategic foresight in advancing people centred smart cities. It brought together representatives from UN agencies, city leaders, and experts across diverse thematic working groups to exchange insights and chart joint actions for the future.
The objectives of the Ninth U4SSC meeting were to:
- Provide an update on the work of the U4SSC Thematic Groups and Working Groups;
- Discuss new U4SSC activities and approve the U4SSC Annual Work Plan (2025-2026).
Content and Structure
Session 1: Anticipating Tomorrow: AI, Wellbeing & Foresight in People-Centred Cities
Join this U4SSC session as we spotlight three critical thematic threads shaping future cities: Artificial Intelligence in Cities, Future Foresight for Cities, and Digital Wellbeing. Experts will present ongoing work including AI policy frameworks, scenario planning methods for urban resilience, and benchmarks for digital quality of life. Together, we’ll explore how to weave foresight, ethics, and human-centred design into city strategies to build resilient, inclusive, and thriving urban communities.
DTD Webinar on “Empowering lives through people-centred smart cities”
Session 2: Transforming Together: Digital Innovation and Sustainability for People-Centred Cities
This session will provide an overview of the ongoing work of key U4SSC Thematic Groups on Digital Transformation for people-centred cities, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), Sustainable Digital Transformation in Buildings and Urban Energy and Social-Cultural Sustainability in People-Centred City Governance. Speakers will share insights on how cities can harness digital innovation to advance sustainability, resilience, and inclusion.
The discussion will highlight how integrated approaches — combining technology, governance, and culture — are shaping the next generation of smart, sustainable, and people-centred urban development.
Methodology
Presentation/Panel Discussion
Targeted Audience
Mayors, city leaders, policymakers, urban innovators, and UN partners