The UCLG Committee of Digital and Knowledge-based Cities -chaired by the City of Bilbao– and the Wireless Broadband Alliance have signed an agreement to work closely together on the development of Connected City initiatives.

The first initiative in the framework of this collaboration is the “CONNECTED CITY SUMMIT” which will take place on the 28th of June 2016 in Liverpool (UK), as part of the WBA Wifi Global Congress at the International Festival for Business 2016 and with the support of the City of Liverpool and its Mayor.

The Connected City Summit expects to gather over 100 cities representatives including founding members of the WBA Connected City Advisory Board, New York, San Francisco, New Delhi and San Jose.

“Our cooperation with the Wireless Broadband Alliance is a perfect fit – we are both committed to the social and economic development of the Connected City ecosystem. The Connected City Summit will be a great platform for cities from around the world to discuss and share their experiences, as well as help those in the early stages of development to execute smart city plans. We are excited to be working with the Wireless Broadband Alliance to drive awareness for global connectivity and help bridge the digital divide”.

Mr. Xabier Ochandiano, City Councillor for the Economic Development, Commerce and Employment of the City of Bilbao, Presidency of the UCLG Committee of Digital and Knowledge-based Cities.

The partnership will also allow the Wireless Broadband Alliance to expand its Connected City Advisory Board (CCAB) with UCLG members, inviting the group to participate in roundtable discussions on the development of smart cities. The CCAB develops and promotes the growth of the Connected City ecosystem. It recognizes and disseminates information about best practices, as well as the challenges and opportunities cities face when executing Connected City plans.

“We are thrilled to be cooperating with the UCLG Committee of Digital and Knowledge-based Cities on the development of our Connected City Summit at the Wi-Fi Global Congress. The Committee will be imperative to the development of the agenda and gaining participation from cities from around the world to discuss, debate and ultimately help make smart cities a reality. Wi-Fi will be the key to bridging the global digital divide, connecting the unconnected and the underserved. We have a hope and vision for universal and affordable connectivity for all, which is why we have created the Connected City Summit at Wi-Fi Global Congress, and are continually looking to expand the CCAB”.

Mr. Shrikant Shenwai, CEO of the Wireless Broadband Alliance

Goals of the Connected City Summit

The Summit will provide a perfect opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the cities, as well as hear the latest developments from global leaders in wireless and SMART technology. It has as main goals:

1. Promote the development of Connected City plans and blueprints, creation of public-private ecosystems and collaboration mechanisms for resource contributions and shared risks and rewards/incentives.

2. Create an environment for City Managers and CIOs to knowledge-exchange and create best practices with their counterparts in other cities. Discuss ways to optimize technology delivery in the most practical manner possible to deliver the greatest societal benefit, to account for privacy and security concerns and to determine the best way to leverage public/private partnerships.

3. Recognize and disseminate information about the best practices, challenges and opportunities in the development and execution of Connected City plans.

Registration to the Connected City Summit has no cost for UCLG members. There are a limited number of places available, so we recommend you to register as soon as possible. Registered cities to the Connected City Summit will be also able to attend the WBA Wifi Global Congress.

Please note that each participant should take care of its own travel, visa and accommodation costs, however, delegate financial support may be available to cities meeting qualifying criteria.

You can register and find more information about the Summit and the procedure for the request of delegate financial support in the following link: www.uclg-digitalcities.org/evento-anual/liverpool-2016/