On 7 February 2025, the European Women’s Association (EWA) had the privilege of contributing to the Cities in Action Forum 2025 held at Expo City Dubai, a global hub for innovation, sustainable development, and cross-sector collaboration.

The forum, themed around making cities more prosperous, equitable, low-carbon, and climate resilient, brought together over 500 international leaders and influencers—including ministers, mayors, developers, urban planners, innovators, and youth voices—to catalyze actionable solutions for the future of cities.

Representing EWA, we had the opportunity to share our perspective on the crucial intersection of Women, Innovation, and Inclusive Cities, alongside inspiring leaders from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and NEOM.

The session highlighted a critical truth:
When urban development considers the specific needs of women, we create cities that are not only more inclusive but also more sustainable, resilient, and better prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.

Key discussions centered around:

– Advocating for gender equality in urban planning and infrastructure.
– Harnessing technology and innovation to drive inclusive city-making.
– Empowering women to step into leadership roles and seize opportunities to shape the future of our cities.

Special thanks to Dr. Sarah Hill and Maha Gorton for their remarkable contributions and to all the changemakers present for championing the role of women in urban innovation.

At EWA, we believe that gender-inclusive urban development is essential to building cities that truly serve everyone. By fostering women’s leadership in entrepreneurship, innovation, and policymaking, we can design smart, sustainable, and equitable cities for generations to come.

Together, we are not just imagining better cities—we are building them.