Accelerating Innovation, Investment & Impact
At the heart of the global cities summit, the City Hall Stage is where cities and companies step into the spotlight to showcase high-value projects and initiatives, offering suppliers, investors and urban solution providers direct access to some of the most exciting business opportunities emerging in the city space.
Major Project Briefings, Urban Solutions Spotlight and Media Moments are designed to fast-track high-impact urban development projects from concept to collaboration. They bring together mayors, governors, deputy mayors, city leaders, developers, innovators, think tanks, investors, financial institutions and enablers to present transformative, scalable and investment-ready projects to a targeted audience of funders, consultants, strategic partners and technical experts.
Media Moment
Monday 27 October, 11:30 –11:55
Launch of Circle Dubai
Presented by HE Eng. Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality
Major Project Briefing
Monday 27 October, 12:05 – 12:25
Smart & Sustainable Cities Beyond Borders
Satellite-powered urban solutions for tomorrow’s sustainable cities.
With a USD $2.5B, five-year program and $500M–$1B ready for deployment within 12 months, this initiative offers partners and investors a powerful opportunity to align profitability with purpose, advancing sustainable, data-driven cities at the forefront of Asia-Pacific’s urban transformation.
Presented by:
Media Moment
Monday 27 October, 12:35 – 12:55
International Launch: The 2025 State of the City Report
This presentation outlines Brisbane’s competitive advantages across key sectors—health, advanced manufacturing, logistics, knowledge, and experience economies—showcasing the city as a global hub for sustainable development, business investment, and industry collaboration.
Presented by Dr John Cowie, Brisbane Economic Development Agency
Major Project Briefing
Monday 27 October, 13:05 – 13:25
The Downtown Yerevan Masterplan
This project will deliver 155 high-rise towers, with 17,000 modern apartments for nearly 60,000 residents, a functional mix of 70% residential, 15% office, 8% retail, and 7% public facilities, 20.7 hectares of landscaped parks, gardens, and leisure zones, schools, kindergartens, sports and cultural venues.
Total value of USD 4bn.
Presented by Tigran Avinyan, Mayor of Yerevan
Major Project Briefing
Monday 27 October: 13:35 – 13:55
The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee – procurement programme
The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee will present its new procurement portal.
This platform is designed to support businesses and suppliers – across construction, logistics, technology, professional services, and beyond – in identifying and navigating opportunities in the lead-up to the Games.
More than 50 Expressions of Interest (EOIs) packages are also now open. Hundreds more packages will be released in the lead up to the Games, worth about $2.5 billion.
Presented by Jessica Reid, Chief of Staff to the President, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee
Urban Solutions Spotlight
14:05 – 14:25
Reputation as Capital: Why Cities Compete on Identity, Not Infrastructure
Presented by Dr Tarek Oliveira Shayya, Founder & Managing Director, Gratiya Advisory
Major Project Briefing
Monday 27 October: 14:35 – 14:55
Waste-To-Energy: A financed solution for the green energy transition for cities
This presentation showcases Z&A’s modular waste-to-energy solution designed to help cities convert municipal waste into clean, renewable electricity while eliminating landfill dependency.
It highlights how Z&A’s integrated financing international lenders and green funds with over USD1 billion in funding, enables governments to rapidly implement bankable, scalable WTE projects that deliver measurable environmental, social, and economic benefits.
Presented by Samson Emenike Ogbu, Technical Director, Z&A
Urban Solutions Spotlight
Monday 27 October, 15:05 – 15:25
Building entrepreneurial ecosystems: Reinventing innovation through collaboration
The community collaboration framework explores how regional collaboration can drive innovation and entrepreneurship.
This highlights the importance of shared networks, cross-sector partnerships, and community-driven initiatives in creating a vibrant, sustainable ecosystem where businesses and innovators thrive together, using the “Jersey Shore” as a model for place-based economic reinvention.
Presented by:
Major Project Briefing
Monday 27 October, 15:35 – 15:50
Enugu New City Development
The New Enugu City is a 10,000-hectare mixed-use smart urban expansion redefining the spatial and economic landscape of Enugu State and South Eastern Nigeria.
The City is designed as a model for sustainable African urbanization. It integrates modern infrastructure — arterial roads, underground drainage, renewable power supply, central water and sewage systems, and high-speed fibre optics.
Beyond its appeal to the Nigerian domestic market, the City will also offer a world-class place to live, work, and play to Nigerians in the diaspora as well as expatriates working in South-East Nigeria.
Presented by Peter Mbah, Governor of Enugu State
Urban Solutions Spotligh
Monday 27 October, 16:00 – 16:15
Kaduna State Infrastructural Development and Investment Opportunities
Presented by HE Uba Sani, Governor of Kaduna State
Major Project Briefing
Monday 27 October, 16:25 – 16:40
Smart Village: Gaiba Vision
The “Veneto Open – Gaibledon”, is an international WTA grass-court tennis tournament that promotes global visibility, local engagement, and sport tourism.
Complementary projects include developing slow and eco-tourism routes, expanding digital infrastructure like fiber-optic connectivity and smart services, improving family and social support programs such as kindergartens and elderly care, and advancing climate action through waste reduction, tree planting, and a renewable energy community.
Together, these initiatives aim to transform Gaiba into a model of rural innovation, sustainability, and inclusive local development.
Presented by Nicola Zanca, Mayor of Gaiba
Major Project Briefing
Monday 27 October, 16:50 – 17:10
Hodhi: Fintech platform for inclusive saving and real estate investing
Hodhi is redefining access to savings, investing, and capital market participation. We make it possible for anyone — including low-income earners who have historically been excluded — to invest in assets previously out of reach.
Our flagship product, AKRE (pronounced acre), is an affordable, secure savings and investment product backed by rental real estate and government securities. AKREs generate steady, compounding returns while remaining liquid, and providing collateral for credit, unlocking borrowing for millions of people who have never accessed formal finance.
Presented by Vivek Mittal, CEO, Africa Infrastructure Development Association (AfiDA)
Urban Solutions Spotlight
Tuesday 28 October, 09:15 – 09:40
Urban Spotlight of the Brazilian Cities
Presented by:
Major Project Briefing
Tuesday 28 October, 09:50 – 10:10
Longevity Island, Abu Dhabi
Longevity Island is an unprecedented healthcare and wellness destination in Abu Dhabi, developed by TDA Investment in Commercial Enterprises & Management Co. L.L.C.
Designed as the world’s first comprehensive healthcare complex dedicated to enhancing longevity and quality of life for the elderly, this visionary $4 billion project spans 930,000 sqm, preserving 70% of the island as pristine natural landscape. Blending advanced medical care, regenerative medicine, and luxury living, the community is inspired by biomimicry and “blue zone” principles to promote vitality and well-being.
With revenues projected to grow from $307 million in 2026 to $1.48 billion by 2030, Longevity Island represents a unique opportunity to invest in the future of healthcare, wellness, and sustainable luxury living.
Presented by Ila Colombo, Longevity Island, Abu Dhabi, DEOND
Urban Solutions Spotlight
Tuesday 28 October, 10:20 – 10:40
The Proactive Municipality: Shaping the future through foresight-driven signals
Presented by:
Major Project Briefing
Tuesday 28 October, 11:40 – 12:00
Presentation of Zorrotzaurre Project
The project, led by a public-private partnership including the Basque Government, Bilbao City Council, and private firms, emphasizes four pillars: sustainability, livability, innovation, and knowledge. It will deliver 5,500 new homes, green spaces, and public facilities, while fostering a digital and creative economy through the Zorrotzaurre Urban Innovation District.
With an estimated cost of €250 million, the project integrates flood protection, land decontamination, and infrastructure renewal, positioning Bilbao as an international hub for technology, education, and sustainable urban living.
Presented by Asier Abaunza, Councilor, Urban Planning, Strategic Projects and Public Space, Bilbao
Major Project Briefing
Tuesday 28 October, 12:10 – 12:30
Zotus City: Africa’s Dubai of the Kalahari – Transforming Regional Trade through the Trans-Kalahari Corridor
Zotus City is a USD50 billion smart-city project strategically located along the Trans-Kalahari Corridor (TKC), linking Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa to position Botswana as a key logistics and investment hub for the SADC region and a bridge to Asia and the Middle East.
Developed in partnership with the Government of Botswana and endorsed through a Tripartite Agreement between Zotus City Development Group, the TKC Secretariat, and the Botswana Investment & Trade Centre, the 4,200-hectare Special Economic Zone in Ghanzi will feature a masterplan by BIG and Surbana Jurong, a 300 MW solar plant, regional water pipeline, expanded international airport, logistics hub, AI-driven data centre, and digital innovation district.
Supported by global partners such as King & Spalding and ambassadors Didier Drogba and Emile Heskey, Zotus City aims to serve as Africa’s “Dubai of the Kalahari”—a model for sustainable urban transformation, economic diversification, regional integration, and replicable public-private partnership governance across emerging markets.
Presented by Davison Simango, CEO & Co-Founder, Zotus City Development Group
Major Project Briefing
Tuesday 28 October, 12:40 – 12:55
Bjelovar – the City of Opportunities
The largest project in the history of the city is the construction of the Wellovar Geothermal Sports and Recreation Park, worth 51 million euros. It is a self-sustaining complex with six outdoor and indoor pools, which will be heated by geothermal water and powered by solar power.
This project will certainly transform the city in terms of tourism and the economy in general. The City of Bjelovar is also starting the construction of the new Business Zone on 178 hectares, and is investing much in sports, as evidenced by the Bjelovar’s new Arena project. It is the extension of the football stadium, which will meet the requirements for professional matches in the 1st Croatian Football League.
Presented by Dario Hrebak, Mayor of Bjelovar
Urban Solutions Spotlight
Tuesday 28 October, 13:05 – 13:15
How Education Fuels Dubai’s Growth Story
Fatma Belrehif, KHDA
Urban Solutions Spotlight
Wednesday 29 October, 09:05 – 09:15
Child-friendly and care-centered urban design
Katie Beck, Urban95 Academy Programme Manager, LSE Cities
Urban Solutions Spotlight
Wednesday 29 October, 09:25 – 09:40
Nova Vila Project – Transforming the legacy of mining into a sustainable future
The Nova Vila Project is a pioneering initiative by AngloGold Ashanti, in partnership with the Municipality of Nova Lima (MG), that transforms mine closure into an opportunity for urban renewal and cultural appreciation.
Located on the site of the former Mina Velha and Mina Grande (in operation between 1834 and 2003), the project covers more than 260,000 m², including the restoration of 19,600 m² of historical structures and the creation of a new area seamlessly integrated into the city. The proposal connects past, present, and future.
Presented by João Marcelo Dieguez Pereira, Mayor of Nova Lima
Major Project Briefing
Wednesday 29 October, 09:50 – 10:10
Sherbro Island City, Charter City in Sierra Leone
Sherbro Island City is an ambitious plan to transform Sherbro Island (Sierra Leone) into a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) rooted in “afro-dynamism” and eco-principles, blending cultural authenticity with modern infrastructure.
Through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the Sierra Leonean government, the project aims to foster long-term economic growth, generate thousands of jobs, and build a sustainable city where people can live, work, invest, study, and play — underpinned by green technologies and respect for the natural environment.
Presented by Siaka Stevens, Co-Founder, Sherbro Island
Urban Solutions Spotlight
Wednesday 29 October, 10:20 – 10:35
Peshawar Urban solutions and opportunities
Presented by Zubair Ali, Mayor of Peshawar
Major Project Briefing
Wednesday 29 October, 10:45 – 12:00
Future Cities in Action: AI Powered Urban Solutions
Presented by: