Chiara Venturini

In increasingly digital cities, opportunity is shaped by more than connectivity—it depends on who has the access, skills, and rights to participate fully. While digital technologies are transforming economies and public services, they also risk deepening existing inequalities if inclusion is not addressed from the outset. Cities are beginning to take a more holistic approach, combining infrastructure, education, and rights-based frameworks to expand access to digital opportunity. As AI reshapes the workforce and decision-making systems, the challenge is not only to bridge divides, but to build inclusive digital ecosystems where innovation supports social equity, economic participation, and individual empowerment.

This discussion focuses on the central role of finance and investment in enabling urban transformation and supporting the progress cities need across the world. Looking at climate finance, partnership schemes, and global funding mechanisms, the session examines how these models contribute to sustainable urban development and are gaining relevance within the global urban agenda, especially where access to resources determines cities’ ability to move from ambition to implementation. Lastly, it questions how financing and investment approaches may evolve in the years ahead to address existing challenges and respond to growing priorities.