The Urgency of Urban Action

In an era where global challenges such as climate change, air pollution, migration, pandemics, and urbanization are becoming increasingly pressing, local governments are on the front lines of addressing these issues. Traditionally, international diplomacy has been the domain of nation-states, working through multilateral forums like the United Nations, G20, or the African Union. However, these high-level negotiations often take time, and the solutions may not always reflect the specific and immediate needs of cities. Local governments cannot afford to wait; they are acting now, taking the lead in implementing Smart City solutions that address urgent challenges in real-time. 

This is where City Diplomacy comes in. By engaging with other cities and international organizations, local governments can collaborate on innovative solutions, share best practices, and work towards creating more sustainable and liveable urban environments. This approach has given rise to Smart City Diplomacy, where cities act as international actors in promoting digitalization, sustainable urban development, and international cooperation.

The Concept of Smart City Diplomacy

Smart City Diplomacy refers to the engagement of cities in international cooperation, not just with other cities but with a broader range of stakeholders, including private companies, NGOs, international organizations, and research institutions. It goes beyond the traditional roles of city government by integrating technology, innovation, and diplomacy into urban management.

The Smart City approach leverages digital solutions — such as sensors, AI, data analytics, and IoT (Internet of Things) — to improve urban services like transportation, energy management, healthcare, and security. In doing so, cities can respond more effectively to the needs of their populations, enhancing the quality of life for urban residents.

While Smart City development often takes place within a national framework, cities also engage internationally through Smart City Diplomacy to learn from one another, co-create pilot projects, and attract global investments. The United Nations recognized the potential of this approach in its 2016 New Urban Agenda, which called for adopting Smart City strategies to enhance service delivery and promote sustainable urban growth.

Benefits of Smart City Diplomacy

Accelerating Innovation and Solutions

Through Smart City Diplomacy, cities gain access to cutting-edge technologies and best practices from across the globe. International partnerships enable cities to learn from one another’s experiences and tailor successful strategies to their unique local contexts. For example, European cities may work together on renewable energy projects, while cities in Asia share insights on smart mobility, such as the integration of AI-driven traffic management systems. This diffusion of ideas and approaches may help cities not only up to date with the latest technologies but also to implement these innovations in ways that are most effective for their specific urban environments.

Collaboration between cities often extends to pilot projects and joint ventures, which can have a transformative impact on urban development. For example, in addressing climate change, some cities have been pioneers in the adoption of green technologies like energy-efficient buildings, electric public transport systems, and smart grids. Such innovations not only improve sustainability but also enhance cities’ international reputation as leaders in tackling global challenges. By demonstrating the successful deployment of these technologies, cities tend increasingly to become influential actors on the world stage, showcasing how urban areas can lead the fight against climate change and setting examples for others to follow.

Moreover, the speed at which these solutions can be implemented is often faster when facilitated through city diplomacy. Without the slower-moving bureaucratic processes seen in national or international agreements, cities can take direct action through these partnerships. Whether it’s rapid experimentation with new technologies or scaling up proven solutions across regions, Smart City Diplomacy may in some cases accelerate both the innovation process and the timeline for tangible results, allowing cities to meet pressing challenges more swiftly.

International Branding and Investment

Smart City Diplomacy also acts as a strategic tool for cities to market themselves on the international stage. By positioning themselves as forward-thinking, technology-driven hubs, cities can attract not only foreign investment but also global talents, entrepreneurs, and tourists. A city’s brand as a “smart city” often enhances its visibility and reputation, making it an appealing destination for multinational corporations, startups, and international conferences. For example, Barcelona’s successful branding as a smart city has made it a hub for tech innovation, attracting global companies and conferences like the Mobile World Congress, while also bolstering its tourism and local economy.

Cities such as Singapore and Zurich have similarly used Smart City Diplomacy to bolster their global reputations for innovation and sustainability. Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative, for example, has drawn substantial foreign investment in its technology and data sectors, making it a leader in digital governance and smart infrastructure. This kind of branding not only drives economic growth but also has a ripple effect on the local economy, creating more jobs, expanding opportunities for startups, and improving the overall quality of life for residents. International branding rooted in smart city initiatives becomes a powerful economic engine, fostering long-term development and competitiveness on the global stage.

Knowledge Transfer and Capacity Building

One of the most critical aspects of Smart City Diplomacy is the opportunity for knowledge transfer and capacity building. Through global networks like United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, and the Smart Cities Council, cities engage in collaborative learning, exchanging best practices and lessons learned from their respective smart city initiatives. This open exchange helps cities avoid the pitfalls others have experienced and refine their strategies based on real-world outcomes. 

These networks also provide a platform for capacity building, allowing cities with fewer resources or technical expertise to benefit from the know-how of more advanced smart cities. This collaboration can range from urban mobility solutions to smart governance and digital infrastructure. The knowledge transfer process empowers cities to implement smarter, more efficient solutions without having to reinvent the wheel. 

In addition to shared learning, Smart City Diplomacy encourages joint efforts in securing international funding. Programs such as the European Union’s Horizon Europe initiative support cross-city collaborations on smart city projects, often focusing on areas like digital governance, sustainable urban mobility, and smart energy management. This cooperative approach to funding allows cities to pool their resources and expertise, enabling even mid-sized or smaller cities to participate in large-scale, innovative projects. By partnering through diplomatic channels, cities increase their access to financial and technical support, which is essential for scaling smart city solutions globally. 

Ultimately, these networks and partnerships created through Smart City Diplomacy help cities tackle the global challenges they face, from climate change to rapid urbanization, in more efficient and innovative ways. This cooperation accelerates progress, not just for individual cities, but for the global urban community as a whole.

Examples of Smart City Diplomacy in Action

Barcelona and Smart Mobility

Barcelona is a prime example of a city using Smart City Diplomacy to foster international cooperation. The city has developed a Smart Mobility strategy, which integrates electric vehicles, smart traffic management, and public transportation optimization. By sharing its experiences through international forums like the Smart City Expo World Congress, Barcelona has become a leader in urban mobility and sustainability.

Singapore and International Partnerships

Singapore has leveraged its Smart Nation initiative to forge partnerships with cities across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. By collaborating on areas such as urban planning, cybersecurity, and e-governance, Singapore has positioned itself as a hub for Smart City solutions. The country regularly engages in city-to-city diplomacy to transfer knowledge and foster joint projects in urban development.

Organizations Promoting Smart City Diplomacy 

The Forum of Mayors

The Forum of Mayors enables city leaders to directly engage with international organizations and states on issues of urban importance. The Forum serves as a unique platform where mayors can discuss global challenges like climate change and migration while sharing their local solutions. This interaction between cities and international bodies enhances the capacity of local governments to influence global policies.

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)

The UNECE plays a vital role in promoting sustainable Smart City development through its United Smart Cities initiative. Headquartered in Geneva, the initiative encourages cities to implement digital technologies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in areas such as smart energy, urban resilience, and intelligent infrastructure. UNECE helps cities access international funding and provides a framework for cooperation across borders.

International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

Also based in Geneva, the ITU works with cities globally to advance smart technologies through standards development, capacity building, and fostering international partnerships. ITU’s Smart Sustainable Cities Program supports cities in adopting technologies that contribute to the achievement of SDGs, especially in the context of environmental sustainability and urban resilience.

Global Cities Hub

The Global Cities Hub is a platform that fosters collaboration between cities around the world, with a particular focus on sustainable urban development. Based in Geneva, the hub acts as a center for city-to-city diplomacy, offering a space where urban leaders, policymakers, and experts can exchange knowledge, form partnerships, and collaborate sustainable urban development. It aims to support cities in leveraging digital technologies to tackle global challenges such as climate change, urbanization, and resource management, further advancing the principles of City Diplomacy.

Conclusion: The Expanding Role of Smart City Diplomacy

As global challenges grow more urgent, cities are taking a leading role in addressing issues like climate change, urbanization, and public health. Smart City Diplomacy offers a powerful approach for fostering international collaboration, accelerating innovation, and exchanging solutions. By engaging with global networks and city partnerships, local governments can implement tailored responses to urban challenges, while also learning from each other’s successes and setbacks.

Through this form of diplomacy, cities not only share knowledge but also develop joint projects, secure international funding, and influence global policies with practical, locally grounded solutions. This makes Smart City Diplomacy a key driver of sustainable urban development, as seen in initiatives like C40 Cities and UCLG, which bring cities together to address shared challenges through technology and policy.

As more cities engage in diplomacy, their influence on the global stage will continue to grow, helping shape international discussions on sustainability, digitalization, and inclusive growth. By leveraging their collective experiences and resources, cities can lead the way in creating smarter, more sustainable, and resilient urban environments for the future.

References:

  • Barber, B. R. (2013). “If Mayors Ruled the World: Dysfunctional Nations, Rising Cities”. Yale University Press.

  • United Nations (2016). “New Urban Agenda”. UN-Habitat III, Quito.

  • C40 Cities. (2020). “Urban Climate Action Impacts Framework”.

  • European Commission. (2021). “Horizon Europe: The EU Research and Innovation Programme 2021–2027″.

  • Smart Cities Council (2020). “Smart Cities Readiness Guide”.
  • Ayres, A. (2018) “The New City Multilateralism”, Council on Foreign Relations, June 27, 2018 https://www.cfr.org/
  • Amiri, S. and Dossani, R. (2019) “City Diplomacy Has Been on the Rise. Policies Are Finally Catching Up”, Published online by United Press International on November 22, 2019.
  • Kihlgren Grandi L. (2020) City Diplomacy, London: Palgrave Macmillan