Making Smart Cities Inclusive (Participatory E-Governance in the Mena Region)

This session will focus on experiences from countries from the MENA region (Jordan, Palestine, and Egypt), represented by local governments, civic tech actors, and development partners to exchange practical experiences, tools, and policy approaches that embed participation, transparency, and equity into smart city initiatives. Discussions will focus on co-creation of digital urban services, inclusive data governance, and citizen-centered design, highlighting both opportunities and risks of digital transformation in urban contexts. One of the initiatives presented will be "Amman Is Listening" which is a digital civic engagement platform launched in 2025 by the Municipality of Amman. The initiative aims to create a structured, inclusive, and data-driven channel for citizens to share feedback, priorities, and ideas related to municipal services and urban development.