The Future of Community and Mobility Week
Smart City Solutions: Bridging Collaborations Between Lithuania and Partners Worldwide
Republic of Lithuania
The "Smart City Solutions" event aims to foster global collaboration, particularly between Lithuania and Japan, on smart city innovations. It is started with a keynote addressing the current status of smart cities, highlighting cross-sector partnerships and successful initiatives. Two panel discussions are planned: the first focuses on integrating renewable energy (solar, wind) into urban infrastructure, smart grids, and relevant policies. The second explores smart urban ecosystems, covering proptech, e-mobility, traffic management, and cybersecurity, emphasizing collaboration among stakeholders. Experts from both countries will share insights, followed by pitch sessions where companies present their smart city solutions, encouraging global partnerships and innovation.
Recorded video available
Discussion
- Smart cities
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | Japanese and English |
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Track Programme
- Time and
Date of
the event -
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2025.05.15[Thu]
10:00 ～ 12:30
(Venue Open 09:30)
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- Venue
- Theme Weeks Studio
Programme details
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Join us for an exciting and forward-looking event dedicated to the future of sustainable urban development and renewable energy integration in smart cities. An event organized by Innovation Agency Lithuania brings together leading voices in innovation, policy, and green technology of Lithuania and beyond.
The day will begin with welcoming remarks from Mr. Lukas Savickas, Minister of Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania, followed by a series of powerful keynote presentations. Experts from Lithuania, Japan, and beyond will share transformative city initiatives, including Vilnius’ vision of becoming the greenest city, Tauragė’s progress as one of Europe’s 100 Climate Neutral Cities, and Nagoya’s decarbonized urban planning approach.
A thought-provoking panel discussion will explore how renewable energy is driving the smart city movement, featuring leaders from solar energy, gas utilities, and innovative green startups.
Attendees will also enjoy a dynamic pitch session, where Lithuanian renewable energy and smart city companies will present their cutting-edge solutions.
Reports
【Reflection】
At the Smart City Solutions Forum, Lithuania presented a compelling vision for sustainable urban development rooted in innovation, international collaboration, and citizen-centric approaches. The event underscored the importance of cooperation among local governments, businesses, and innovation agencies in building resilient and smart urban environments.
Lukas, Lithuania’s Minister of Economy and Innovation, delivered a keynote emphasizing the strategic role of smart cities in addressing contemporary urban challenges. He stressed that smart cities are no longer aspirational concepts but current realities, powered by technologies like IoT, data analytics, and renewable energy. For Lithuania, smart city development is not merely about infrastructure but about cultivating livable, sustainable communities.
Lukas highlighted Lithuania's proactive stance, pointing to initiatives such as the GFT Lab, which supports public sector innovation. This lab enables municipalities to integrate digital tools into governance, improving public services through energy-efficient smart traffic lights, intelligent lighting systems, and data-driven service delivery. Vilnius, the capital, exemplifies these innovations through platforms for citizen participation, urban geospatial mapping, transport optimization, and urban maintenance systems.
The forum emphasized that innovation in public procurement can serve as a powerful catalyst for smart transformation. Lithuania aims to move beyond transactional procurement by prioritizing sustainability and technology in its decision-making processes.
The broader message of the forum centered on the convergence of technology, governance, and community engagement. Lithuania, positioned at the heart of the Baltic Sea region, aspires to become a smart city innovation leader in the European context, offering a scalable model for global collaboration and sustainable urban development.
【Post EXPO Initiatives】
Building on its Expo engagement, Lithuania is set to implement a comprehensive strategy for advancing smart cities:
1. Strengthening International Partnerships
Lithuania plans to deepen ties with countries like Japan and regional partners through:
a. Joint pilot projects on smart technologies
b. Innovation exchange programs
c. Investment and technology transfer initiatives
2.Expanding the GFT Lab and Public Sector Innovation
Post-Expo, the GFT Lab will be scaled to involve more municipalities. Public sector employees will receive training in digital governance, and the Lab may evolve into a regional center for smart experimentation.
3.Scaling Successful Smart City Technologies
Lithuania intends to expand solutions already piloted—such as smart traffic systems and urban mapping tools—to more cities and rural areas. These efforts aim to create a replicable model of smart urbanization.
4. Promoting Innovation-Driven Procurement
Public procurement will be leveraged to drive smart city adoption. Lithuania will develop frameworks to prioritize tech-based and sustainable proposals, sharing learnings with international networks.
5. Positioning Lithuania as an Innovation Hub
Utilizing its EXPO 2025 exposure, Lithuania aims to become:
a. A testbed for smart city innovations in Europe
b. A gateway for global companies entering the EU market
c. A venue for international conferences and startup accelerators
6. Deepening Sustainability and Citizen-Centric Approaches
Future initiatives will focus on:
a. Renewable energy and green mobility
b. Digital inclusion and citizen participation
c. Building resilient communities that adapt to emerging challenges
Conclusion
Lithuania’s participation in EXPO 2025 marks the start of a long-term commitment to smart city leadership. By combining strategic partnerships, public sector innovation, and scalable technologies, Lithuania is transitioning from showcasing innovation to exporting it—positioning itself as a driving force in the global smart city movement. The Smart City Solutions Forum thus served as both a milestone and a springboard for this forward-looking agenda.
Cast
Moderator
Andrius Karazinas
Chairman, Lithuanian National Association of Solar Panel Producers
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Speakers
Lukas Savickas
Minister of the Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania
Member of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania. His experience includes roles as Deputy Chair of the Committee for the Future and membership in the Committee on Economics and the State Progress Council of the Seimas. Previously, he held leadership positions within the Lithuanian Government, including First Deputy Chancellor of the Government, where he coordinated strategic EU policy implementation, worked on the National Progress Plan. Also, he has contributed to fostering economic growth as Adviser to the Prime Minister as well as through roles at Invest Lithuania and the Association Investors’ Forum.
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Anu Eslas
Head of European and Baltic Affairs, Ignitis Group
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Julius Sakalauskas
CEO, Soli Tek
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Austė Pranckutė
CEO, Stuart Energy
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Indrė Ubartaitė
Chief Operations Officer, In Balance Grid
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Co-organiser
Innovation Agency Lithuania
The Future of Community and Mobility Week
Smart City Solutions: Bridging Collaborations Between Lithuania and Partners Worldwide
The "Smart City Solutions" event aims to foster global collaboration, particularly between Lithuania and Japan, on smart city innovations. It is started with a keynote addressing the current status of smart cities, highlighting cross-sector partnerships and successful initiatives. Two panel discussions are planned: the first focuses on integrating renewable energy (solar, wind) into urban infrastructure, smart grids, and relevant policies. The second explores smart urban ecosystems, covering proptech, e-mobility, traffic management, and cybersecurity, emphasizing collaboration among stakeholders. Experts from both countries will share insights, followed by pitch sessions where companies present their smart city solutions, encouraging global partnerships and innovation.
-
2025.05.15[Thu]
10:00～12:30
(Venue Open 09:30)
- Theme Weeks Studio
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
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The Future of Community and Mobility Week
