InnovaCities 2025: Building Smart, Humane, and Resilient Cities with IFIA’s Support

The 14th edition of InnovaCities – the International Fair of Smart, Joyful, Humane, and Resilient Cities, was successfully held from September 15 to 17, 2025, at the Recanto Cataratas Thermas Resort & Convention Center in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil. Organized by ABIPIR – the Brazilian International Association of Inventors, Scientists, and Innovative Entrepreneurs, and supported by IFIA – the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations, the event gathered over 3,000 participants from 15 countries, including innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, and representatives from academia, government, and industry.

InnovaCities 2025 stood out as a premier platform for presenting practical and scalable solutions addressing global urban challenges. More than 100 projects were exhibited in person and online through the InnovaCities Regenerative Innovation Competition and the BRICS Technological Innovation Competition, highlighting innovations in healthcare, education, sustainability, urban mobility, artificial intelligence, and governance.

The Regenerative Innovation Competition recognized projects that combined social, environmental, and economic regeneration principles. Eighty projects competed in five categories Urban Sustainability, Governance and Inclusive Public Policies, Resilient Cities, Diversity and Technology for Equity, and New Regenerative Economic Systems with winners receiving internationally recognized medals and IFIA certificates.

In parallel, the BRICS Technological Innovation Competition brought together 79 projects from countries including Brazil, China, India, New Zealand, Argentina, Turkey, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Uganda, Paraguay, Ecuador, Bangladesh, and Rwanda. The competition featured cutting-edge solutions in digital medicine, advanced manufacturing, green energy, artificial intelligence, and smart governance.

Complementing the competitions, the fair hosted the Latin American Artificial Intelligence Congress, which explored how AI can foster sustainable urban development across Latin America. The event attracted experts, academics, and entrepreneurs to discuss topics such as Education 4.0, Smart Cities, Renewable Energy, Governance for the Future, and Smart Tourism Destinations

Other activities included business roundtables organized by SEBRAE, connecting 48 startups and enterprises with potential investors and partners, and a series of workshops, panels, and lectures on sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The Foz do Iguaçu City Hall also participated actively, offering vaccination services, public consultations, and civic engagement initiatives aligned with the fair’s theme of humane and inclusive urbanism.

A significant educational component was achieved through the participation of more than 250 students from state and municipal schools, nurturing the next generation’s interest in science, innovation, and social responsibility.

The event was attended by key international and national figures, including:

• Alireza Rastegar, President of IFIA
• Liu Zhenying, President of the BRICS Academy
• Marcelo Vivacqua, Founder and President of ABIPIR and IFIA’s Director for Latin America
• Anand Kannan, Representative of IFIA Bharat
• General Joaquim Silva e Luna, Mayor of Foz do Iguaçu
• Representatives from UNILA, Uniguassu, SEBRAE, and the Government of Paraná State

The II BRICS Cooperation Summit was also hosted during the fair, strengthening ties between IFIA, ABIPIR, BRICS Academy, and innovation ecosystems from across Latin America and Asia. The summit emphasized cooperation in science, technology, education, and sustainable economic development.

InnovaCities 2025 demonstrated measurable impact across multiple dimensions:

• Social: Promoted inclusion and diversity, highlighting award-winning projects by underrepresented inventors.
• Economic: Strengthened Paraná’s innovation ecosystem, generating new partnerships and business opportunities.
• Environmental: Encouraged sustainable projects focused on green energy, circular economy, and ecosystem regeneration.
• Educational: Disseminated knowledge through AI, IoT, and sustainability workshops.
• Political: Reinforced Foz do Iguaçu’s position as a hub for innovative public policy in Latin America

With IFIA’s strategic support and ABIPIR’s leadership, InnovaCities 2025 successfully combined innovation, education, and social inclusion, setting a new benchmark for international collaboration in smart and sustainable urban development. The event not only celebrated human ingenuity but also embodied the vision of building cities that are truly smart, humane, joyful, and resilient.

The mission of ABIPIR, aligned with IFIA’s global vision, was fully achieved providing innovators with a free and democratic platform to present their ideas and transform them into opportunities that make the world a better place for all.”
Marcelo Vivacqua, Founder and President of ABIPIR, Director of IFIA-LATAM Office