At an exhibition of the 2025 World Cities Day China Observance, a foreign visitor explored the robots and learned about their features and performance. (Photo/Luo Huxin)
Chongqing, China, served as the focal point for urban innovation on October 28, 2025, as it hosted the World Cities Day China Observance. During the event, Anacláudia Rossbach, the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UN-Habitat, lauded the city’s advancements in utilizing digital technology to enhance housing, governance, infrastructure, and public services. Rossbach highlighted that Chongqing’s initiatives provide crucial insights for megacities worldwide, particularly in their pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda.
The event, themed “People-Centered Smart Cities Towards the Future,” marks a significant occasion as it is the first time the observance has taken place in China’s central and western regions. In an interview with Bridging News, Kazuko Ishigaki, Regional Director of the UN-Habitat Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, emphasized that technology is a tool meant to serve citizens. “A smart city cannot be smart without people,” she stated, aligning Chongqing’s development with the UN-Habitat’s vision for urban environments focused on the needs of their inhabitants.
The discussions at the observance drew attention to the global trend of urbanization, with Vuyo Mhlakaza-Manamela, Deputy Speaker of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature in South Africa, noting that over 68% of the world’s population now resides in cities. She remarked on how South Africa’s approach to sustainable urbanization complements China’s commitment to green development and smart city initiatives. Mhlakaza-Manamela underscored the importance of learning from cities like Chongqing, especially regarding infrastructure investment and the integration of smart technologies.
At the opening ceremony, Chongqing unveiled the Chongqing Voluntary Local Reviews and the Chongqing Initiative of the 2025 World Cities Day China Observance. The event also promoted the 2025 Annual Report of the Shanghai Manual, which serves as a guide for sustainable urban development in the 21st century. These releases highlight China’s ongoing contributions to fostering global urban sustainability.
The two-day observance featured a range of activities, including the main forum, thematic discussions, and an exhibition showcasing achievements in urban development. Participants engaged in field visits to experience firsthand the innovative practices being implemented in Chongqing.
World Cities Day, established in 2010 during the Shanghai World Expo, aims to foster global dialogue on urban issues. Celebrated annually on October 31, it reflects the growing importance of cities in addressing contemporary challenges.
As cities around the world continue to evolve, Chongqing’s commitment to smart urban planning and technology-driven solutions positions it as a leader in the journey toward sustainable urban futures. The insights shared during this observance will resonate across borders, influencing urban strategies in cities globally.
