The 15th edition of InnovaCities – the International Fair of Smart, Joyful, Humane, and Resilient Cities, will be held from June 9 to 12, 2026, in Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, 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 is expected to gather a wide range of international participants, including innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, and representatives from academia, government, and industry.

Building on the success of previous editions, InnovaCities 2026 will serve as a dynamic platform for dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge exchange, fostering innovative solutions for the challenges faced by modern cities. The event aims to promote sustainable development, technological advancement, and inclusive growth through strong cooperation between public and private sectors.

Participants will have the opportunity to engage in high-level discussions, explore emerging trends in smart city development, and connect with global leaders in innovation and entrepreneurship. Through its multidisciplinary approach, InnovaCities continues to strengthen the international innovation ecosystem and support the creation of resilient and future-ready urban environments

Building on the success of previous editions, InnovaCities 2026 is expected to continue serving as a premier platform for presenting practical and scalable solutions to global urban challenges. The event will feature a wide range of innovative projects showcased both in person and online through its flagship competitions: the InnovaCities Regenerative Innovation Competition and the BRICS Technological Innovation Competition.

The Regenerative Innovation Competition will focus on projects that integrate social, environmental, and economic regeneration principles. It is expected to attract participants across key thematic areas such as Urban Sustainability, Governance and Inclusive Public Policies, Resilient Cities, Diversity and Technology for Equity, and New Regenerative Economic Systems. Selected projects will be recognized with internationally acknowledged awards and IFIA certificates.

In parallel, the BRICS Technological Innovation Competition will bring together participants from BRICS and BRICS+ countries, presenting cutting-edge solutions in fields such as digital health, advanced manufacturing, green energy, artificial intelligence, and smart governance. The competition aims to promote technological collaboration and innovation among emerging economies.

Complementing the competitions, InnovaCities 2026 will host the Latin American Artificial Intelligence Congress, focusing on the role of AI in fostering sustainable urban development across the region. The congress is expected to bring together experts, academics, and entrepreneurs to explore key topics such as Education 4.0, Smart Cities, Renewable Energy, Governance for the Future, and Smart Tourism Destinations.

Additional activities will include business roundtables, workshops, panels, and lectures addressing innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. These initiatives aim to connect startups, enterprises, and investors, fostering collaboration and business opportunities within the innovation ecosystem.

Public sector engagement is also expected to play an important role, with local authorities contributing to discussions and initiatives aligned with the fair’s vision of humane, inclusive, and resilient cities.

The event will also emphasize educational participation by encouraging the involvement of students and young innovators, helping to inspire the next generation in the fields of science, technology, 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 2026 is expected to generate a significant impact across multiple dimensions:

• Social: Promoting inclusion and diversity by encouraging the participation of innovators from diverse and underrepresented communities.
• Economic: Strengthening regional and international innovation ecosystems by fostering new partnerships, investments, and business opportunities.
• Environmental: Supporting sustainable development through projects focused on green energy, circular economy, and ecosystem regeneration.
• Educational: Expanding knowledge exchange through workshops and discussions on artificial intelligence, IoT, sustainability, and emerging technologies.
• Governance: Enhancing the role of cities as innovation hubs by encouraging forward-thinking public policies and collaborative governance models 

With the strategic support of IFIA and the leadership of ABIPIR, InnovaCities 2026 is set to further strengthen the integration of innovation, education, and social inclusion, continuing to serve as a benchmark for international collaboration in smart and sustainable urban development. The event aims not only to showcase human ingenuity but also to advance the vision of building cities that are truly smart, humane, joyful, and resilient.

Aligned with IFIA’s global vision, ABIPIR remains committed to providing an open and inclusive platform where innovators can present their ideas and transform them into impactful solutions that contribute to a better future for all.

“Our mission is to empower innovators by offering a free and democratic platform that enables ideas to grow into real opportunities. InnovaCities continues to connect people, technologies, and visions to build a better world,”
Marcelo Vivacqua
Founder and President of ABIPIR
Director, IFIA LATAM Office