A number of international experts specializing in urban economy, innovation, and cultural development emphasized that despite the importance of technology, it should be used as a means to improve quality of life and enhance residents’ well-being, rather than being an end in itself. They stressed that adopting a human-centered approach in urban planning places people at the core of the development vision and strengthens cities’ ability to face future challenges with innovation and community integration.

This came during a specialized panel discussion at the Arab-European Cities Dialogue Forum, which deeply explored the role of hosting major events as strategic tools to promote sustainable development, build more cohesive and prosperous communities, and reinforce local identity. The session served as a platform for exchanging expertise between European and Arab cities on managing major events and leveraging them to develop resilient and advanced urban economies.

The panel included a distinguished group of international experts in urban economy, innovation, and cultural development, who shared successful experiences and highlighted the importance of turning major events into effective tools for creating long-term impact by developing smart and sustainable infrastructure and ensuring citizen participation throughout planning and implementation phases.

Speakers noted that the real value of these events extends beyond the host city to a wider network of cities through collaborative cooperation and knowledge exchange.

They also referred to reports by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) outlining how to benefit from events from the bidding phase through post-implementation, emphasizing the importance of impact measurement and placing citizens at the heart of policies and initiatives.

In the context of expanding regional influence, it was announced during the session that the Smart City Expo World Congress 2025 will be held in Riyadh this coming September. This initiative aims to engage Middle Eastern cities in the global movement and stimulate public-private partnerships.

The congress is one of the world’s leading events, attracting annually over 25,000 specialists and 1,000 companies. It has contributed to significant urban transformations in Barcelona, such as reducing reliance on cars, promoting public transportation, adopting sustainable practices including recycling and reducing plastic use, and fostering social inclusion and gender equality, with women representing 60% of the speakers.