As the climate crisis intensifies, urban leaders are under increasing pressure to play a pivotal role in mitigating the repercussions of climate change by implementing innovative practices, advancing sustainable energy strategies, and adopting climate-smart practices. How are cities leading solutions that confront the escalating consequences of the climate emergency, balancing environmental responsibility, city living, and economic vitality?

How can cities integrate climate adaptation, disaster preparedness, and smart infrastructure for long-term resilience? What role do technology and community engagement play in sustainable urban growth?

How does digital transformation will enhance citizen participation while ensuring data transparency and security? How can we guide behavior in the digital world and secure our digital rights? This roundtable will discuss how local governments are protecting citizen’s digital rights and identities in a connected world while ensuring privacy, fostering digital trust and countering disinformation.

The session explores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in revolutionizing urban environments, drawing on the latest findings from a Deloitte-led study of 250 cities globally. We will delve into real-world applications of AI across various city functions, examining both the opportunities and challenges associated with its implementation. From optimizing traffic flow and enhancing public safety to improving resource management and citizen engagement, we will discuss how AI is shaping the future of sustainable and resilient cities. The session will reveal key trends in AI adoption, including the rapid growth of Generative AI, and highlight best practices from leading AI-powered cities like Singapore, Dubai, and Amsterdam. We will also address crucial ethical considerations and strategic implications of AI in urban development, focusing on responsible AI governance and building public trust. The session will feature insights from leading experts and practitioners, fostering a dynamic discussion on the future of AI in urban development.

Register here

Together, Deloitte and Yes/Cities are creating sustainable positive change by empowering local innovation ecosystems to help cities thrive as a place where people want to live and work.

Register here

The CATE (Continuous Auditing based on Technological Evolution) session explores an innovative partnership between the Flemish Audit Authority and Deloitte Belgium, designed to transform audit and control management for subsidy and grant programmes. CATE is a fully integrated technological tool that enables Management and Audit Authorities to perform high-quality, statistically proven transaction verifications with a guaranteed maximum 2% error rate. By embedding audit processes within a secure tech ecosystem, CATE significantly reduces human workload by over 65%, accelerates payment cycles, and simplifies administrative procedures. This evolution not only enhances audit accuracy and consistency but also empowers inspectors to focus on high-value tasks, making their work more meaningful and efficient. Attendees will gain insights into how leveraging technology in continuous auditing drives superior quality, operational efficiency, and impactful workforce optimization in public sector grant management.

Join us for an insightful session where we present the results of our impact evaluation of investments in Belgian railway infrastructure. Based on a very robust and approved economic model, we have quantified the significant economic and sustainability benefits delivered by these investments. Our insights have been highly relevant not only for our client but for all stakeholders including railway operators, policymakers and politicians, and key clients who rely on railways to grow their economic activities in sustainable way. Explore how our methodology and outcomes have contributed to evidence-based decision-making regarding the renewal of the management contract and the long-term investment budget of Belgium’s public railway infrastructure agency. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with our experts and learn how data-driven insights are shaping the future of sustainable railway infrastructure investment.

Porto has been at the forefront of developing and implementing strategies that can respond to the needs and demands of residents and visitors, offering smarter urban development, which entitled them the first place in “European Cities of the Future” by the Financial Times in 2023 and its one of the 112 Mission Cities of the Net Zero Cities initiative of the European Commission, aimed at 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030. This session will explore how Porto is facing these challenges, through the experience of the Porto Energy Agency (AdE Porto), and how Deloitte has been supporting the city along its sustainability journey, through assets such as Climchoice and advisory projects such as the SDG financial decision support framework. Join us to discover how collaboration, technology, data and advise are shaping Porto’s journey into a Smart Sustainable City.

Cascais is redefining what it means to be a truly smart and human city - one that places people, innovation and transparency at its core. Through strong partnerships with public entities and academia and a spirit of experimentation, the city has become a living lab where technology and collaboration drive better quality of life for all citizens.

This session will explore how Cascais promotes digital inclusion while fostering transparency, data governance and citizen participation. As a pioneering territory for pilots and new ideas, Cascais continues to inspire others by turning innovation into tangible impact and setting an original path for the smart cities of the future.Join us to discover how bold vision, collaboration, and data are shaping a more inclusive, transparent, and forward-thinking community.