Ghaemi at the opening Ceremony of BRICS Climate Agenda Froum:

Challenges can be overcome with proper and precise planning, public participation, and international cooperation.

Referring to our countrys plans to deal with the challenges of climate change, the member of Tehran Islamic City Council said: challenges and requirements must be recognized, and with proper and precise planning, public participation, and international cooperation, problems can be overcome.

According to the Islamic City Council of Tehran, Ali Asghar Ghaemi at the opening ceremony of the BRICS climate agenda forum while appreciated the hosting of the Russian government stated: the exchange of experiences among cities is one of the most effective factors in recognizing common challenges and resolving them with minimal time and cost. One of the achievements of such gatherings is the establishment of connections among urban management professionals to benefit from each other"s experiences. Energy transition is appropriate and effective when the solution to climate change is linked to achieving other Sustainable Development Goals. It emphasizes the importance of the connection between efforts related to climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals, he said.

 For a better understanding, Ghaemi mentioned important points in this regard: First energy transition refers to the process in which countries and societies shift from polluting and non-renewable energy sources (such as fossil fuels) to clean and renewable energy sources (such as solar, wind, and hydropower) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. Second, the appropriateness of energy transition means that these changes should not lead to new inequalities or exacerbate existing inequalities and third, regarding the connection between this concept and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which encompass 17 areas, the SDGs were set by the United Nations and address social, economic, and environmental issues.

Challenges and requirements must be recognized and with proper and precise planning, public participation, and international cooperation, problems can be overcome, the energy transition process must ensure that all segments of society, especially vulnerable groups, benefit from the energy transition while also considering other Sustainable Development Goals, he emphasized.

In order to achieve these important goals, he pointed out the solutions adopted by Tehran in this regard and said: Sustainable and low-carbon development programs in Tehran are part of Iran"s broader efforts to combat climate change and achieve sustainable development. Although these programs face challenges such as limited financial resources and the need for cultural and social changes, focusing on improving quality of life, reducing pollution, and enhancing the environment can lead to significant success. International cooperation and the use of new experiences and technologies can certainly accelerate this process.

It is important to emphasize that smart and sustainable urban development is a comprehensive approach to managing and improving urban quality of life, using modern technologies and sustainable strategies to address urban challenges. This approach aims to create cities that are not only environmentally sustainable but also efficiently utilize their resources, improve the quality of life for their citizens, and meet their economic and social needs, Ghaemi said.

Reducing travel demand through the development of electronic services he stated that it has a direct impact on reducing traffic and air pollution. It reduces energy consumption, increases time efficiency, provides access to services regardless of time and place, and utilizes data and information for better decision-making.

It should not be forgotten that the lack of appropriate infrastructure, inadequate attention to cybersecurity especially when dealing with large and valuable data high costs, and lack of access to sustainable financial resources, privacy concerns, social and cultural resistance particularly against change due to lack of awareness managerial and inter-agency coordination issues, project implementation complexity, the absence of proper laws and regulations, and difficulties in enforcing regulations are among the key challenges in achieving electronic cities and, ultimately, smart cities, Ghaemi emphasized.

He added that for successful smart development, these challenges must be managed comprehensively and in a coordinated manner. Investments in technology infrastructure, education, and public awareness, the establishment of appropriate legal frameworks, and the enhancement of inter-agency cooperation can help mitigate these challenges and facilitate the process of smart development. Attention to social justice principles and environmental sustainability at all stages of smart development is essential to ensure that this process leads to genuine improvements in citizens" quality of life.