Malaysia Launches Countdown to Southeast Asia’s First Smart City Expo. Malaysia has officially launched the 100-day countdown to Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur 2025 (SCEKL25) — the first Southeast Asian edition of the globally recognised Smart City Expo World Congress Barcelona. Set to take place from 17 to 19 September 2025, the landmark event will be held in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, firmly positioning the nation as a regional leader in smart city innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable urban development.
Under the theme “AI Cities: Shaping Our Digital Future,” SCEKL25 reflects Malaysia’s forward-looking vision to build intelligent, inclusive, and resilient urban environments powered by artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. The Expo is co-organised by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) for the Ministry of Digital, and will convene global leaders, investors, tech innovators, and policymakers to explore the evolving landscape of smart cities across ASEAN.
SCEKL25 is anchored by four strategic pillars: AI Cities, Sustainable and Resilient Cities, Digital Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, and Community Empowerment through Digital Solutions. These pillars align with Malaysia’s Fourth National Physical Plan (NPP4) and its aspiration to become a Smart Nation by 2040, showcasing how digital innovation can enhance quality of life and drive inclusive growth.
The Minister of Digital, YB Gobind Singh Deo, hailed SCEKL25 as a transformative milestone for the country. “This Expo sets the stage for meaningful conversations about the future of urban innovation. As ASEAN’s digital economy accelerates, SCEKL25 offers a vital platform to spotlight cutting-edge technologies and foster collaboration across borders,” he said.
MDEC CEO Anuar Fariz Fadzil described the event as a catalyst for the smart city revolution in the region, emphasizing Malaysia’s commitment to building cities that are empowered by AI and designed for sustainability and inclusivity. Echoing this, DNB CEO Datuk Azman Ismail highlighted the critical role of 5G infrastructure in enabling next-generation urban solutions, stating that the Expo will underscore how real-time connectivity can power intelligent systems and resilient urban ecosystems.
SCEKL25 also holds strategic regional importance as Malaysia takes on the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025. The event will support the implementation of the ASEAN Master Plan on Connectivity 2025, fostering stronger physical, institutional, and people-to-people linkages across member nations. It is expected to attract over 2,000 delegates and 10,000 visitors, including international participants, and generate opportunities in trade, foreign investment, and cross-border collaboration.
The Expo unveiled an impressive lineup of partners, including Diamond Partners Dell Technologies and Intel, Official Innovation Partner Huawei, and Gold Partner Ericsson. It also boasts strong backing from Strategic Partners such as MIGHT, Malaysia Smart Cities Alliance (MSCA), Smart Cities Network, and the Malaysia PropTech Association — reflecting a unified industry push to lead the smart city agenda in ASEAN.
For more details, visit the official website at www.smartcityexpokl.com.