By Staff Reporter
The Smart Cities Council and Dubai’s International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) have joined forces to accelerate smart city innovation, unveiling a series of strategic initiatives aimed at transforming how cities are built and connected—starting in Dubai and extending worldwide.
The announcement was made during the Smart Cities Summit North America 2025 in San Francisco, where over 450 senior leaders from government, business, and academia gathered under the theme ‘Public Safety, AI, and the Middle East in Focus.’ As the summit’s key partner, IFZA steered discussions around creating inclusive, sustainable, and tech-driven urban communities.
Highlighting Dubai’s emergence as a global smart city model, IFZA CFO Holger Schlechter emphasized the emirate’s role as a launchpad for international innovation.
“Dubai represents more than just an economic opportunity; it represents a vision of what future cities can be,”
he said, positioning Dubai as an ideal destination for American tech entrepreneurs and innovators.
In a major step forward, SCC and IFZA announced the launch of two joint ventures—Smart Cities Council Middle East and Smart Cities Academy—geared toward accelerating urban innovation and education across the region. The collaboration underscores the growing ties between the U.S. and UAE in advancing sustainable, technology-led city development.
“By connecting Silicon Valley’s innovation with Dubai’s dynamic business environment, we aim to create a powerful launchpad for entrepreneurs,”
said Corey Gray, President of SCC.
Further reinforcing its commitment to innovation, IFZA also introduced Scale360, a Dubai-based open innovation platform developed with Plug and Play. The initiative aims to link startups with investors, corporates, and growth opportunities across the Middle East.
Dubai, currently ranked 4th in the 2025 IMD Smart Cities Index, continues to set the benchmark for smart urban transformation.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
