FUTURE CITIES

PANEL SESSION: Converging Clean Energy, Mobility Platforms & AI Logistics

SYNOPSIS: Cities of the future will not be sustainable by design unless clean energy, smart mobility, and intelligent logistics are fully integrated. This panel explores how urban ecosystems are evolving to link electric mobility, renewable energy, and AI-driven logistics into seamless, low-carbon systems that serve people and businesses alike. From dynamic energy grids that power EV fleets to AI platforms that optimise traffic, freight, and delivery networks, panellists will share how convergence is enabling smarter, greener movement across cities and regions. The discussion will also look at how Sarawak and ASEAN cities can leapfrog legacy infrastructure by deploying these systems collaboratively — with investment, governance, and community buy-in at the core.

PANEL SESSION: SMARTER INFRASTRUCTURE – DATA, AI & THE FUTURE OF PUBLIC SERVICES

As cities and regions race to modernise, infrastructure is no longer just concrete and steel — it’s increasingly digital, intelligent, and connected. This session explores how data and AI are transforming the way public services are planned, delivered, and sustained. From smart grids and predictive maintenance to responsive utilities and citizen-centric services, panellists will share practical insights on how governments, solution providers, and communities can work together to build resilient, efficient, and inclusive infrastructure that adapts in real time to people’s needs — all while balancing security, privacy, and sustainability goals

Case Spotlights: Urban Innovation Pilots Across Malaysia & ASEAN

SYNOPSIS: While smart city blueprints often stay at the strategy level, real impact happens when ideas become practical pilots on the ground. This session invites leading cities and local governments from Malaysia and ASEAN to showcase real-world urban innovation projects that use data, AI, and digital platforms to solve everyday challenges — from waste management and energy efficiency to climate adaptation, mobility, and citizen engagement. Each spotlight talk will share what was tried, what worked, and what’s next — offering practical inspiration for other cities ready to move from plans to action. These pilots prove that no city is too big or small to test, learn, and scale smarter solutions that put people and sustainability first.

PANEL SESSION: Greener Cities by Design: From Circular Systems to Climate Resilience

SYNOPSIS: Cities sit at the front line of the climate crisis — but they’re also powerful test beds for circular economy principles, nature-based solutions, and resilient design. This panel explores how urban leaders, planners, and innovators are moving beyond single sustainability projects to embed circularity and climate adaptation into how cities are designed, built, and governed. From rethinking waste and resource flows to deploying AI and data for early warning systems and urban cooling, the discussion will unpack what it really takes to build greener cities by design — and how these strategies can scale in diverse local contexts across ASEAN.

WORKSHOP: Financing Smart & Green City Projects

SYNOPSIS: Securing funding is often the biggest barrier to turning smart and green city plans into reality. This interactive workshop brings together city leaders, project owners, and financing experts to break down what makes urban innovation projects truly bankable. Participants will learn practical frameworks for building robust business cases, explore public-private-partnership (PPP) models and blended finance options, and hear real stories of what works — and what doesn’t — when trying to attract investors. Come ready to exchange ideas, ask tough questions, and walk away with clear next steps to unlock funding for projects that deliver both sustainability and community impact.

PANEL SESSION: Smart Cities, Smarter Communities – Scaling Resilience Beyond Urban Borders

As smart city solutions mature, the next frontier is ensuring their benefits reach not just urban centres but smaller towns, rural districts, and underserved communities. This session explores how local governments, urban innovators, and regional partners are bridging the urban-rural divide — designing infrastructure, digital services, and community initiatives that strengthen resilience everywhere. Panellists will share practical stories of how data, AI, and citizen engagement can transform not just city cores but entire regions — and what governance, investment, and partnerships are needed to scale these successes sustainably across Sarawak and ASEAN.

PANEL SESSION: Next-Gen Digital Policy, AI Ethics & Civic Interfaces

SYNOPSIS: As cities and regions adopt more AI and data-driven systems, public trust and governance become critical. This session dives into what next-generation digital policy looks like for communities that want to scale smart solutions responsibly. From building AI oversight and ethical frameworks to creating digital platforms that keep citizens engaged, panellists will explore how local governments can design civic interfaces that protect privacy, enable participation, and keep humans in the loop. Real use cases will highlight how forward-thinking cities in Malaysia and ASEAN are operationalising trust and accountability — and what other regions can learn as they mature their digital ecosystems.

PANEL SESSION: OPERATIONALISING ETHICS: MAKING AI ACCOUNTABLE IN EVERYDAY SYSTEMS

Ethical AI frameworks are important — but they mean little if they don’t shape how real city systems work day to day. This closing panel explores how local governments, service providers, and civic groups are embedding accountability into the technologies that run critical infrastructure, transport, utilities, and citizen services. Speakers will share lessons on algorithm audits, bias mitigation, procurement rules, and how to keep humans meaningfully in the loop. This practical conversation will inspire cities to move beyond compliance and design AI systems that genuinely earn trust and deliver fair, inclusive outcomes for all.

EXHIBITION AND NETWORKING LUNCH