Washington, D.C. — The Global Innovation Forum is featured in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s (APEC) report, Sustainable Cities Development to Promote Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in the Asia-Pacific. The report showcases the critical role that public-private partnerships and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play in driving urban innovation across the region.
Hua Wang, Executive Director of the Global Innovation Forum, was invited to present at the APEC Symposium hosted by Chile and China in September 2024. Her remarks emphasized the need to empower SMEs and support cross-sector collaboration in building smart, inclusive, and low-carbon cities.
“SMEs are like the hidden gems of the urban innovation world,” said Wang. “They are agile, quick to adapt, and highly innovative—but they often need support to scale their solutions. Through thoughtful partnerships with tech companies and local governments, these entrepreneurs are bringing impactful solutions to life.”
The APEC report cites examples Wang shared of SMEs leveraging digital tools and global partnerships to address urban challenges:
- Whill, an SME in Japan, is redefining personal mobility through electric wheelchairs, working with Microsoft Azure and Google AI to create more accessible cities.
- SolarCity in New Zealand is deploying IoT-enabled solar energy systems in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to help cities reduce their carbon footprint.
- Global tech leaders like Microsoft, Google Cloud, and Apple are collaborating with cities to use cloud computing and real-time data for better resource management and citizen engagement.
Wang stressed that cities are ultimately about people, and inclusive innovation means designing for everyone—regardless of mobility, income level, or location. “A small pilot can lead to big solutions,” she said.
GIF’s inclusion in the report underscores the importance of elevating SME voices and fostering cross-border dialogue to shape the policies and ecosystems that enable smart, sustainable urban growth.
“We’re proud to contribute to APEC’s vision for resilient, people-centered cities,” said Wang. “And we’re committed to continuing our work to ensure that entrepreneurs have a seat at the table in shaping our shared urban future.”