Chongqing - Anacláudia Rossbach, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the UN-Habitat, praised Chongqing's progress in building a sustainable urban future at the opening of the 2025 World Cities Day China Observance on October 28 in Chongqing, calling its use of digital technology to improve housing, governance, infrastructure, and public services inspiring.
"Today, 2.8 billion people around the world lack access to adequate housing, more than one billion live in informal settlements and slums, and more than 300 million experience homelessness. With the right digital tools—from geospatial mapping and data monitoring to early warning systems—we can enhance government efficiency, save lives, secure land rights, and expand access to housing and essential services," she said.
Rossbach added that Chongqing's experience offers valuable lessons for megacities worldwide in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda, which promote inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban development through smart planning, better infrastructure, and people-centered services.
With the theme "People-Centered Smart Cities Towards the Future," the two-day event is co-hosted by China's Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the UN-Habitat, and the Chongqing Municipal People's Government. It marks the first time the observance is held in China's central and western regions.
The event aims to build an international, high-level, and pragmatic platform for urban exchange and cooperation, bringing together guests from the UN-Habitat, ESCAP, foreign embassies and consulates in China, Chongqing’s sister cities, and other Chinese cities.
In an interview with Bridging News, Kazuko Ishigaki, Regional Director of the UN-Habitat ROAP, stressed that technology is only a tool and that a smart city "cannot be smart without people."
In an interview with Bridging News, Kazuko Ishigaki, Regional Director of UN-Habitat ROAP, shares her views on smart cities during the 2025 World Cities Day in Chongqing. (Photo/Kenny Dong)
"Technology should serve citizens," she said, adding that the development of Chongqing and the theme of this conference align closely with the UN-Habitat’s vision for people-centered smart cities.
Vuyo Mhlakaza-Manamela, Deputy Speaker of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature of South Africa, said her country's focus on sustainable urbanization aligns with China's commitment to green development and smart city innovation. She noted that lessons from Chinese cities, especially Chongqing's infrastructure investment and smart technology integration, are invaluable.
Mhlakaza-Manamela noted that over 68% of the world’s population now lives in cities, a share that continues to grow. She said this urbanization trend brings unprecedented opportunities to improve livelihoods, use resources more efficiently, and promote inclusive prosperity.
At the opening ceremony, Chongqing released the Chongqing Voluntary Local Reviews and the Chongqing Initiative of the 2025 World Cities Day China Observance. The 2025 Annual Report of the Shanghai Manual: A Guide for Sustainable Urban Development in the 21st Century was also be promoted, further highlighting China’s contributions to advancing global urban sustainability.
Throughout the observance, a series of activities took place, including the main forum, parallel and thematic forums, achievement exhibition, and field visits.
At the exhibition, a foreign visitor explores the robots and learns about their features and performance. (Photo/Luo Huxin)
World Cities Day is the United Nations' first international day dedicated to cities, and also the first international day initiated by the Chinese government. It originated from the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and the Shanghai Declaration, and is celebrated annually on October 31 to promote international urban dialogue.