Solution Providers and Cities Discuss PPP Collaboration on Smart City Projects in 2nd Matchmaking Webinar
September 29, 2021
SEOUL – Today, WeGO and the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) co-hosted the second edition of the ‘Solutions Meet Cities’ (SMC) webinars, dedicated to ‘Matchmaking for smart and sustainable innovation’. This webinar series provides an open floor for members and partners to promote their projects and solutions, thus creating opportunities for collaboration on smart city projects and showcasing good examples of sustainable urban innovation.
The online event also showcased the WeGO Smart City Driver–a comprehensive platform for cities to plan, finance and deploy their smart city projects–and the platform’s continuous development to expand its capabilities and provide more opportunities for members to achieve their smart city goals.
To kick off the event, Baguio City and SRPOST Inc.–who participated in the first webinar as well–revealed details regarding their most recent collaboration on a GIS map-based AI video data convergence city management system. Both members of WeGO, the two entities’ partnership was established through matchmaking by WeGO when they recently completed a joint application for a three-year project funding through the Eureka Network. During the webinar, they spoke about the project application, the specific commitments made by the city and the company, and the indispensable role of WeGO in facilitating the partnership.
Next, Gaziantep introduced the city’s 2030 vision in terms of smart city development, including the creation of a Data Center, Communication Coordination Center, and 3D Gaziantep Simulator. The city participated in a one-on-one consultation session on the Smart City Driver after the first SMC webinar, and was selected as a speaker to present in the webinar, with hopes to find relevant partners for the implementation of its smart city plans.
Corporate members of WeGO went on to present their smart city solutions and how they can help cities on their path to sustainable urban innovation. Data Alliance and FATOS Corporation jointly presented their Digital Twin and GeoAI solutions, emphasized the importance of developing a local service ecosystem, corresponding to the specific environment and needs of each city, and elaborated on the partnership process between cities and the solution providers. Sea Defence Solutions ltd (SEADS), which joined WeGO most recently in June, presented its vision of a cleaner and more sustainable future based on the zero-waste approach and the company’s solution for clean rivers to protect the oceans. The startup also expressed its interest in conducting a pilot project to any interested city which wishes to test this type of solution.
In a panel discussion moderated by WeGO and WFUNA, the speakers discussed the issues, opportunities, and challenges related to smart city project implementation with international partners. shared their insights on how smart city stakeholders can create synergies for developing more sustainable urban environments through digital technology and innovation. They agreed that the sustainability agenda should be promoted by international organizations such as WeGO and WFUNA, and extended high appreciation for the activities of the respective organizations, such as this SMC webinar series and startup competition related to the UN SDGs Citypreneurs.
WFUNA is a global nonprofit organization representing and coordinating a membership of over 100 national United Nations Associations (UNAs) and their thousands of constituents. WeGO and WFUNA have worked together on the Urban Innovation Challenge: Citypreneurs since 2018.
The next SMC webinar will be held in 2022. WeGO and WFUNA will follow-up with interested entities to facilitate partnerships between public and private sector entities. Stakeholders who wish to take part in future SMC webinars can express their interest through the post-event survey, or on the website here, below the recording and presentation slides of the event.