Engage for Inclusion: Building Resilient, Accessible Cities

Monica Duhem is G3ict's Global Advisory Center (GAC) Director

On November 26, 2025, G3ict proudly hosted the inaugural "Engage for Inclusion: A Collaborative Webinar on Building Resilient, Accessible Cities." This milestone event convened leaders, practitioners, and advocates from across the globe to explore how cities can become more inclusive, resilient, and human‑centered.

Global Participation

The webinar drew remarkable engagement:

• 36 countries represented
• 73 cities involved
• 145 registered participants

Cities, organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), and global donors shared good practices, demonstrating the collective commitment to advancing accessibility worldwide.

Key Themes

As urban populations continue to grow, participants discussed both urgent challenges and transformative opportunities to:

• Protect and expand rights
• Rebuild trust in local governance
• Prioritize universal access to public services

The G3ict Smart City Framework

A highlight of the event was the presentation of the G3ict Smart City framework, which emphasizes:

• Regulatory alignment: universal design across digital and built environments
• Inclusive procurement: accessible technology from the outset
• Data & cybersecurity: inclusive data collection that protects rights
• Digital inclusion & skills: awareness, training, and affordable devices
• Connectivity: free Wi‑Fi in underserved areas
• Monitoring KPIs: tracking disability inclusion

Shared Wisdom Hub

All resources and practices shared during the webinar will be published in "Engage for Inclusion: A Shared Wisdom Hub on Building Resilient, Accessible Cities," ensuring that the knowledge generated continues to inspire and guide future efforts.

Gratitude

This webinar was made possible thanks to the generous support of Microsoft. Special thanks to Jessica Rafuse and Jenny Lay‑Flurrie, and to our partners:

• United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)
• Global Disability Fund
• Federico Batista Poitier
• Dr. Ola Abualghaib
• IAAP – International Association of Accessibility Professionals

Looking Ahead

We extend heartfelt thanks to all participants for making this inaugural webinar a success. Together, we are building a legacy of inclusive urban futures.

For more information on resources to support human‑centered smart cities, contact Montserrat Garibay: [email protected]

Thanks to all the participants.