Kuala lumpur: Malaysia will host the Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur 2025 (SCEKL25) this September, marking its first international event focused on smart cities and positioning the country as a key regional hub for Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven urban development. Scheduled to take place from Sept 17 to 19 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), the expo is expected to attract more than 2,000 delegates and over 10,000 visitors.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, SCEKL25 will be the first Southeast Asian edition of the globally renowned Smart City Expo World Congress. It is spearheaded by the Ministry of Digital through its agencies, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB). Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the event will serve as a strategic platform for technology providers and AI-driven smart city solution players, reinforcing Malaysia’s leadership in regional digital innovation.
Gobind highlighted that the core of SCEKL25 is about accelerating a new urban vision, with a focus on green, efficient, and inclusive development, placing the citizens at the heart of every innovation. The expo supports Malaysia’s aspirations under the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint and aligns with regional efforts through the ASEAN Smart Cities Network. It also complements the country’s ambition to become a Smart Nation by 2040.
MDEC, under the Ministry of Digital, is currently leading AI Cities initiatives through targeted pilot projects in selected areas across the country. MDEC CEO Anuar Fariz Fadzil stated that the expo will showcase Malaysia’s transformation into a digitally connected society, highlighting projects such as predictive traffic systems in Penang, smart traffic optimisation in Kuala Lumpur, and AI-powered geospatial solutions in Sabah.
DNB CEO Datuk Azman Ismail emphasized the strategic benefits of hosting the event, including boosting economic growth through business tourism and attracting foreign investment. He noted that SCEKL25 will elevate Malaysia’s global profile in smart city innovation while driving economic growth through these avenues.
Held under the theme ‘AI Cities: Shaping Our Digital Future’, the expo will feature cutting-edge technologies, infrastructure solutions, and future-ready mobility systems aimed at building inclusive and resilient urban centres.