Vienna, 28-30 October 2026 – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) held its flagship platform for dialogue and cooperation on sustainable urban-industrial development, Bridge for Cities 2026, convening more than 500 urban stakeholders from over 80 countries and regions in Vienna. Organized with support of the Government of China, the 11th edition took place under the theme “AI & Green Innovation: Powering a Sustainable Future.”
Against the backdrop of rapid advances in artificial intelligence and the growing urgency of climate action, Bridge for Cities 2026 brought together governments, cities, industry, academia, finance, civil society and other urban stakeholders to exchange experiences, showcase innovative solutions and advance actionable pathways towards more inclusive, resilient and sustainable urban futures.
The 2026 edition held particular significance as it coincided with UNIDO’s 60th anniversary, offering an opportunity to reflect on six decades of advancing industrial transformation, while looking ahead to the role of cities, innovation and international cooperation in addressing emerging global challenges.
With cities at the forefront of the green and digital transitions, discussions focused on AI and digitalization, and green innovation as mutually reinforcing drivers of sustainable urban development. The programme highlighted their potential to enable smarter urban systems, accelerate decarbonization and resource efficiency, and foster responsible and inclusive innovation, MSME development and skills.
The opening ceremony set the stage for three days of dialogue, partnership building and practical exchange, with an opening performance and high-level statements highlighting the role of cities in advancing digital transformation, climate action and international cooperation.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Gerd Müller, Director General of UNIDO, said, “Ten years of bringing cities together. Ten years of sharing ideas, building partnerships and learning from one another. From its beginnings here in Vienna, and events held in Xi’an, Jakarta and Cairo, Bridge for Cities has grown into a truly global platform. City leaders, businesses, innovators and development partners come together to learn from each other and find solutions to shared challenges.” He continued: “Today, over half of the world’s population lives in cities. By 2050, over two-thirds will live in urban areas. Cities therefore play a crucial role in shaping the future of our planet.”
LI Song, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of China to UNIDO, reaffirmed China’s continued support for Bridge for Cities and highlighted the platform’s contribution to exchange and cooperation on sustainable urban development. He said, “innovation should help bridge development gaps, expand opportunities and improve people’s lives,” adding that “international cooperation must deliver tangible results.”
Barbara Novak, Deputy Mayor and Executive City Councillor for Finance, Economy, Labour, International Affairs and Digitalization of the City of Vienna, highlighted Vienna’s longstanding role as a centre for international dialogue and cooperation. “Internationality is a part of our identity,” she said. “Our city is a place where global ideas meet local action.”
Emilia Saiz, Secretary General of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), emphasized the importance of ensuring that technological innovation serves people and communities. “The future that we want does not produce simply a smarter city, but a smarter community, a community that is fairer, that is more inclusive, and that is more capable of caring for all its people,” she said, calling for responsible, human-centred innovation directed towards the common good.
Raf Tuts, Director of the Global Solutions Division of UN-Habitat, stressed the close links between urbanization, industry, technology and climate action. “Urbanization, industrialization, technological advancement and climate change are not separate agendas; they are deeply interconnected forces shaping our collective future,” he said.
A key outcome of Bridge for Cities 2026 was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between UNIDO and UCLG. Building on cooperation through Bridge for Cities and the Xi’an Joint Statement of October 2025, the agreement aims to strengthen collaboration on industrial innovation, local economic development and city-industry partnerships.
The signing was accompanied by the launch of the ScaleX Alliance of Cities and Compendium, a global platform and knowledge resource aimed at accelerating the replication and scaling of innovative city solutions.
As a key component of the programme, Day 1 brought the event’s two thematic pillars to the policy level, with high-level plenaries convening ministers and deputy ministers from Sri Lanka, Panama and the Russian Federation, alongside city leaders, international organizations and private-sector representatives.
The Digital Innovation and Artificial Intelligence plenary explored how AI and digital transformation can improve productivity, public services and urban sustainability through enabling policies, investment and effective implementation. The Green Transition and Urban Industrial Decarbonization plenary focused on pathways towards low-carbon, resource-efficient and climate-resilient cities and industries, highlighting financing, innovation, circular economy approaches and cross-sector partnerships.
Day 2 shifted the focus from global policy to local action, emhasizing “Cities in Action,” and placing mayor-led solutions, innovation and urban transformation at the centre of the programme. Two interactive tracks provided a platform for 13 mayors and city representatives to share practical experiences and identify opportunities for collaboration and peer learning.
Beyond the plenary discussions, the exhibition brought urban innovation to life, providing a space for 4 partners, including UCLG, the City of Vienna, UN-Habitat, and the Institute for Future Cities, as well as 6 private sector entities to showcase practical solutions and initiatives for sustainable urban development. Through an interactive map, UNIDO presented its portfolio of urban development and innovation projects, illustrating how its work is translating global priorities into action on the ground.
On the final day, participants moved from showcased solutions to urban innovation in practice through a study tour in Vienna. Participants explored how the Sustainable Development Goals are reflected in the city’s urban development and visited the Interdisciplinary Centre for Urban Culture and Public Space at TU Wien for exchanges on urban transformation, digital platforms and citizen engagement.
In UNIDO’s 60th anniversary year, Bridge for Cities 2026 connected global policy dialogue with city-level experience and practical solutions, reaffirming its role as a platform for partnership and action.
More details on Bridge for Cities initiative, including event documents are available at www.bridgeforcities.org
For more information, please contact:
Zhao Jie, Chief, Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, UNIDO
Kanishka Rathore, Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, UNIDO
More pictures of the event: Flickr Album