Presidency of 'United for Smart Sustainable Cities' initiative awarded to Spain by ITU

Spain, which shares the presidency of this initiative with the United Arab Emirates, has thus been recognised for its effort and work over the last eighteen months to draw up legislation on governing smart cities.

The U4SSC is an international initiative that seeks the implementation of smart sustainable city actions around the world. U4SSC advocates public policies that foster the use of ICT for facilitating the transition towards smart cities.

Spain's presidency of this initiative was announced at the 7th Green Standards Week in Manizales (Colombia), which took place from 3 to 5 April. This event is organised by ITU alongside other international organisations, such as UNESCO and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

Under the slogan "Circular economy and smart sustainable cities", the event provides a global platform for debate and the exchange of knowledge on the use of ICT for protecting the environment, developing the potential of circular economy measures and accelerating the transition of cities to smart and sustainable models.

The event concluded with the Manizales Manifesto, which fosters the switch over to smart cities.

Spain approved its National Smart Cities Plan in 2015, which was drawn up following agreements between local authorities, the industry and General State Administration Services.

The plan is based on regulation through the approval of international standards and initiatives, the digital transformation of cities and support for the industry by promoting standards and subsidies.

At present, the Spanish smart cities initiative is a model that enjoys both national and international recognition. The UN Broadband Commission, for example, described the Spanish project as "exemplary". Many countries, especially in Latin America, have asked Spain to collaborate in this field.