We are now firmly in the Century of Cities. Twenty-five years into this new millennium, metropolises are no longer mere settlements. They have become platforms for progress, ecosystems of innovation, and amplifiers of human potential. From climate adaptation and energy transition to digital inclusion and economic opportunity, urban areas are on the front lines of the most pressing global challenges – and they are rising to the occasion.

Today’s cities are more than clusters of infrastructure; they are dynamic systems built around the lives of millions. They pulse with data, creativity, and resilience. But they also consume. Although they occupy only around 3% of the Earth's land surface, cities are responsible for approximately 75% of global carbon dioxide emissions and consume over two-thirds of the world’s energy. As urbanisation continues – with nearly 70% of the global population expected to live in cities by 2050 – the urgency to design cities that are both livable and sustainable has never been greater.

This unstoppable urbanisation also means that cities are our greatest asset to achieve meaningful changes. By rethinking how we build, move, govern, and live, we can dramatically improve the lives of its citizens and reduce our ecological footprint. Whether by increasing green infrastructure, electrifying public transit, deploying circular economy strategies, or improving building efficiency – the opportunity to reimagine cities is immense.

But with this transformation comes responsibility. As we reach new heights of innovation, we must ensure no one is left behind. The cities we build must work for everyone – inclusive, sustainable, and safe. We must not lose sight of the human experience at the heart of urban life. Because technology is not the goal; it is the enabler of better lives for all.

Now more than ever, the time for cities is now, not as mere landscapes, but as active shapers of the future. As the climate crisis intensifies, inequality deepens, and technological revolutions accelerate, it is in our cities where real solutions must take root.

Since 2011, Smart City Expo World Congress has stood as the global stage for the ideas, leaders, and partnerships that drive this transformation. We’ve witnessed a global movement emerge – one that embraces change, celebrates diversity, and insists that better cities lead to a better world.

The upcoming edition of the Smart City Expo World Congress, held in Barcelona from November 4th to 6th, will be the biggest and broadest to date. Held together with Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress, Tomorrow.Building, Tomorrow.Blue Economy, and Barcelona Deep Tech Summit, it will strengthen its role as a global hub of smart solutions a source for answers to the crucial challenges facing today’s cities, and will do so by connecting leaders from the most innovative cities, companies, governments and organisations to make cities spearhead the path to a better future.

We must seize this moment. We must build the cities we all need. Because the time for cities – is now.