Communities from ten nations across five continents named as semi-finalists in ICF’s annual Intelligent Community of the Year Awards Program

(March 25, 2026 – New York, NY, USA & Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil) – During conference hosted by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) and the Brazilian city of Curitiba, ICF today named the world’s Smart21 Communities of 2026. Curitiba was ICF’s Intelligent Community of the Year in 2024.

The selection of the annual Smart21 Communities of the Year begins the semi-finalist phase of ICF’s annual Awards Program. In June, seven of these communities will be named the Top7 Intelligent Communities of 2026 during the Top7 Conference & Announcement in Brightlands-Limburg, Netherlands. Then, in October, one of the Top7 will be named the 2026 Intelligent Community of the Year at the ICF Global Summit in Columbus, Ohio, USA. Last year’s Intelligent Community of the Year was Durham Region, Ontario, Canada

(New York City – March 24, 2026) – The Intelligent Community Forum announced today the Full Certification of Assaí, a community of 15,000 people located in Paraná, Brazil.

Meeting ICF’s Certification standard provides objective validation that a community has high-quality connectivity, effective workforce development, a business innovation ecosystem and meaningful community engagement, digital inclusion and sustainability programs in place. These qualities combine to support the growth of innovative businesses, meet their talent needs and provide inclusive prosperity and a high quality of life.

(11 February, 2026 – New York, NY, USA & Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil) – The Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) and EXXAS today jointly announced a strategic partnership aimed at supporting communities across Brazil in engaging with the global intelligent community movement.

Through this collaboration, EXXAS will work closely with Brazilian cities and regions to help them participate in ICF programs and initiatives, including submissions to ICF’s annual Awards Program, Certification of Intelligent Community status, membership with ICF, participation in international delegation trips, and other opportunities for global learning and recognition.

The towns, cities, and regions of the Smart City and the Intelligent Community Movement



As I stood at each one of the announcements this year of the Intelligent Community Awards program, I thought to myself, “What an extraordinary moment it is to stand at the intersection of innovation, inclusion, and global community-building”.

The past year has shown us, once again, that the Intelligent Community movement is not merely an idea—it is a living, evolving force powered by cities and regions that dare to imagine a better future and work tirelessly to build it.

The year 2025 stands as a testament to what visionary leadership, purposeful innovation, and a commitment to inclusive progress can achieve. Across the Intelligent Community Forum network, communities large and small demonstrated how digital connectivity, talent development, and future‑ready governance can transform local ambition into global leadership.

Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada 

A Connected Capital Building an Inclusive, Intelligent Future

Where Nature Meets Innovation 

Nestled along the scenic Wolastoq (Saint John River), Fredericton is New Brunswick’s  capital and the heart of the province’s Innovation Corridor. It’s a city that blends  heritage with high-tech — where walkable streets, vibrant culture, and world-class  research coexist. 

Fredericton may be small in size, but its impact is global. The city is home to 70% of the  province’s innovation businesses. Fredericton is Atlantic Canada’s Knowledge  Capital—where innovation, research, and talent come together in the Knowledge  Industry. Home to thousands of knowledge-based businesses, leading research  institutions, and a pipeline of skilled graduates, Fredericton drives growth across sectors  like healthcare, defence, and tech. With a uniquely collaborative ecosystem, this city  isn’t just keeping up—it’s shaping Canada’s future. 

Its unique mix of urban energy and small-town community has made it one of the most  livable and future-ready cities in Canada. 

“Being recognized as a Top7 Intelligent Community for the fourth time highlights  Fredericton’s commitment to innovation and strong partnerships.” 

— Sarah Corey Hollohan, CEO, Ignite 

Dentons is proud to share this special episode in partnership with the Intelligent Community Forum. 

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) inaugurated the 2025 ICF Global Summit at the Binh Duong Exhibition and Convention Center on the morning of December 3, marking a landmark event for Southeast Asia.

On December 2 (local time), the Yunlin County Government delegation, led by Director Li Ming-Yue of the Department of Planning, traveled to Binh Duong, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to attend the 2025 Global Summit Forum organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Government, Becamex, and the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF). The event gathered city representatives and industry pioneers from Vietnam, Canada, the United States, Brazil, Spain, the Netherlands, and Turkey. In addition to presentations by the Top7 cities of the year, the summit featured panel discussions for cross-sector, cross-city, and cross-border exchanges on public policy, urban economy, and community engagement.

(3 December 2025 – New York City, NY, USA & Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam) – The Intelligent Community Forum today named the Region of Durham, Ontario, Canada, as the 2025 Intelligent Community of the Year. Formally The Regional Municipality of Durham, the community is a regional government that provides shared services for eight municipalities. The announcement was made during the annual Intelligent Community Awards Dinner at the 2025 ICF Global Summit in Binh Duong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. (www.icfsummit.com)

(New York, NY – 20 November 2025) - The Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) announced that Dentons, the world’s largest global law firm, has joined the Forum as a Corporate Partner. 

As a global organization committed to building prosperous, inclusive and sustainable communities, ICF brings together leaders from government, business and academia to share best practices and drive economic growth. Its Corporate Partnership program provides a way for dependable service providers to support this mission, while connecting our Network and Members with a reliable, trustworthy company with whom they can trust.