For the second consecutive year, Asunción will be the meeting point for leaders, technicians, public managers, and experts at the upcoming “Smart City Paraguay 2026” congress. The event is designed to foster dialogue and advance ideas that will help transform Latin American cities into smarter, more sustainable, and inclusive places prepared for future challenges. The congress and expo will take place at the Centro de Eventos del Paseo La Galería on the 24th and 25th of August.
The event has been declared of national tourist interest by the National Secretariat of Tourism (Senatur) and of municipal interest by the Municipal Board of Asunción. Its timing is considered crucial for Paraguayan cities, as it coincides with a year marked by municipal elections and the redefinition of new priorities for citizens. Consequently, Smart City Paraguay 2026 positions itself as the primary strategic space for initiating relevant conversations and supporting the construction of a forward-thinking urban agenda.
A platform for tangible urban projects
The organisers aim for the summit to be a catalyst for real-world change. Fernando Hugo Loza, an engineer and co-founder of the organising consultancy Certus Group, articulated this vision: “We want Smart City Paraguay to be a place where ideas converge and are converted into real projects for the country’s urban future, because we believe that transforming cities depends on everyone, not just the public sector.”
A central goal of the initiative is to place Paraguayan cities on the list of recognised smart cities across Latin America. These are municipalities distinguished by their urban innovation, sustainability, technology, and high quality of life. “We believe that our country has the talent, the institutional capacity, the private sector and the urban potential necessary to join this agenda,” Loza highlighted.
Smart City Paraguay 2026 themes and speakers
The congress agenda will revolve around five key thematic pillars, ensuring a comprehensive discussion on urban development. These themes include:
- Urban Planning: Focusing on public spaces and mobility,
- Governance: Covering smart government and citizen service systems,
- Competitiveness: Addressing the economic development of cities, along with industrial and service promotion,
- Human Development: Centred on quality of life, health, education, citizen satisfaction, and security,
- Environment: Concentrating on sustainable development, environmental care, and waste management.
Throughout the conferences, speakers will analyse successful cases and experiences from other cities in Latin America.
The presentations will be delivered by a distinguished panel of national and international experts. Among them is architect Gustavo Restrepo, an urban planner and a leading Ibero-American figure in sustainable planning. He will be joined by economist Sebastián Ponceliz, an entrepreneur and specialist in financial innovation and cryptocurrency.
Other notable speakers include Fernando Loza, an information systems specialist and academic director, and Ignacio Gei, a systems analyst who currently serves as the Secretary of the Smart City of Córdoba, Argentina. In addition, Eduardo Salonia, an engineer and expert in ICT and smart cities, will also share his insights.
Introducing new opportunities for collaboration
After the 2025 edition, a new feature for this year’s event is the introduction of a Business Round, scheduled for 25 August. This segment is designed as a strategic space for one-on-one meetings, aiming to connect the public and private sectors directly. The initiative will provide concrete opportunities for collaboration, investment, and development among authorities, technology companies, urban planners, academic institutions, and other key stakeholders driving urban transformation in both Paraguay and the wider Latin American region.
Loza explained the mechanics of this new interactive session, which is intended to forge practical partnerships. “The different companies participating in the Business Round will be able to show their products so that the public can choose who they want to generate links with, and then the tables will be established with the various meetings,” he stated.
For more information, find Smart City Paraguay on Instagram.
