More than 100 delegates, including high-level city officials, representing cities across Asia, the Middle East, South America and beyond, gathered in Abu Dhabi for the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organisation's (WeGO) Executive Committee Meeting 2025 (EXCOM 2025).
This pivotal event marked the first time the organisation had held its annual executive assembly in the region, signalling a new chapter in global smart city collaboration. Mayors, deputy mayors and other municipal officials participated in the gathering, which was hosted by the Department of Municipalities and Transport.
The three-day session, held from 29-31 October 2025, served as a crucial forum for fostering international cooperation, enabling senior delegates to explore potential joint initiatives. Furthermore, it provided an essential avenue for evaluating collective progress in smart city implementation and directly shaped WeGO’s future strategic direction and priorities.
His Excellency Dr Saif Al Nasri, Acting Undersecretary of Department of Municipalities and Transport, said: “The extraordinary turnout of urban leaders from around the globe demonstrates the universal commitment to smart city development. This diversity of perspectives and experiences has enriched our discussions immeasurably and underscores that the challenges we face are shared, as are the solutions we must develop together. The resounding success of EXCOM 2025 has reinforced Abu Dhabi's position as a regional hub for innovation and sustainable urban development.”
A Mayoral Roundtable on advancing smart cities further stressed the critical role of coordinated efforts in strengthening digital capabilities, tackling shared urban challenges, and fostering long-term development. Leaders highlighted impactful programmes and knowledge sharing as essential drivers for accelerating smart city progress.
The meeting marked a significant expansion of WeGO's global network with the announcement of the upcoming opening of the Latin America Regional Office, the organisation’s eighth following the opening of the MENA Regional Office in Abu Dhabi last year. Officials also confirmed the membership of Korea’s industrial seashore city of Pohang.
A dedicated session on shaping future smart cities focused on how AI innovations are redefining public services, urban management, and decision-making. Key insights included Abu Dhabi's citizen engagement initiatives, the strategic design of urban transport for green objectives and AI's role in healthcare and real estate.
Youth leaders also offered their unique perspectives during an AI-focused panel on cultivating the next generation of talent in the field. Contributors explored how to nurture talent within city government, drive operational excellence, strengthen public engagement, and foster a culture of AI innovation and growth.
Expansion within the Middle East and North Africa, the remit of the Abu Dhabi office, was also discussed by members with proposals to add more GCC capitals to join cities such as Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Rabat, Tunis and Ramallah as part of the MENA group.
WeGO was founded in 2010 by 50 member cities. Memberships grew to 160, encompassing metropolitan districts and towns from across the world, including San Francisco, Seoul, Brussels, Paris, Berlin, Frankfurt, Rotterdam and Vienna.
