Future ICT Forum for Sustainable Cities 2025 : Future of urban living focusing on technology, trust, and sustainability.Digital Energy Grid (DEG) showcased

Bengaluru, 11th March 2025 Devadas TP Industry Media Special Correspondent Media Wings
The 6th Edition of the Future ICT Forum for Sustainable Cities, took place on Tuesday, 11th March 2025, at The Leela Palace, Bengaluru.
This premier event fostered impactful partnerships and showcased leaders in technology and innovation who addressed the critical sustainability challenges of our time.
As cities expand and evolve, digital transformation has become essential for building smart, resilient, and sustainable urban spaces. The Future ICT Forum for Sustainable Cities serves as a platform to drive this transformation, bringing together global leaders to explore how technology can support sustainable development and policy innovation.
This year’s forum brought together global enterprises, government officials, diplomats, startups, and sustainability experts to discuss innovative solutions for urban transformation.
A major highlight of the event was the showcase of the Digital Energy Grid (DEG), an advanced energy infrastructure designed to integrate both renewable and conventional energy sources. This AI-driven system enables real-time, decentralized energy management, optimizing efficiency while enhancing resilience in urban energy ecosystems. By fostering collaboration across industries and driving technological innovation, the Future ICT Forum continues to play a key role in shaping smarter, greener, and future-ready cities.
Forum Overview ● More than 30 speakers and thought leaders addressed 500+ delegates attended the event both virtually (250+) and physically (250+). ● Discussions revolved around the future of urban living, focusing on technology, trust, and sustainability. ● Sessions addressed key focus areas such as the Digital Economy, Mobility, Energy, Agro Economy, PropTech, Logistics, Health, and Wellness.

Key Speakers
Prof. M. V. Rajeev Gowda (PhD), Former Rajya Sabha Member Expressed concerns about the climate action plan and urban sustainability. He also spoke about his new initiative, the Bangalore Innovation and Research Corridor, where various stakeholders can collaborate to create a sustainable city. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of cross-domain collaboration in driving impactful change.
·Arundathi Rao, Vice President, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Spoke about the importance of sustainability and achieving net zero in today’s world, highlighting HPE’s commitment to becoming a carbon-neutral, net-zero company by 2040 and how its sustainability efforts align with HPE’s motto of “advancing the way we live and work.”
Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, CEO, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) Shared his views on the growing role of AI in daily life and its integration into urban planning. He highlighted that in the near future, around 900 million people will be living in urban areas, raising challenges in managing such a large population. He emphasized that AI will be central to urban functioning and also stressed the importance of clean energy in building a sustainable future.
Ewout de Wit, Consul-General, Consulate General of the Netherlands for South India Provided insights into sustainability and how the Netherlands integrates it across various sectors. He highlighted initiatives in sustainable transportation and advancements in sustainable aviation fuels, showcasing how these efforts contribute to a greener future.
·Ambika Banotra, Chief Representative, NRW Global Business Germany Shed light on dense research in emerging technologies. She highlighted how AI is transforming the future across various sectors, driving innovation and sustainability. She elaborated on how NRW serves as a global hub for cutting-edge advancements, fostering partnerships between industries and research institutions. Additionally, she discussed the region’s strategic initiatives to support businesses in scaling AI-driven solutions for a more sustainable future.
Tanaz Buhariwalla, Director – South Asia, IDA Ireland Spoke about sustainability and the long-standing relationship between Ireland and India. She highlighted Ireland’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and discussed the future of sustainable mobility.
MN Anucheth, IPS, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Bengaluru City Discussed how AI is transforming traffic management. He spoke about how different agencies collaborate to collect and analyze data for better planning. He also shared insights on how Bengaluru Traffic Police uses 9,000 cameras to assist in traffic regulation and how adaptive signaling powered by AI is improving traffic flow. Additionally, he shared key statistics on fatality rates and the city’s rapid population growth, highlighting the need for smart solutions to manage urban mobility efficiently.
Jan Kuenne, Vice President EU & India Pacific, Enterprise Development Group Inc. Discussed the rising carbon emissions and their impact on climate change. He emphasized the need to think beyond traditional approaches when creating solutions to reduce emissions. He spoke about innovative approaches such as using sand for energy storage, adopting unified energy interfaces in cities, and implementing low-energy carbon capture technologies. His insights highlighted the importance of sustainable energy solutions for a cleaner future.
Stephen Mathias, Chairman, Indo-American Chamber of Commerce Karnataka Chapter Addressed privacy law and data mapping. He also discussed the Indo-American trade relationship, highlighting reciprocal tariffs between India and the U.S. and their impact on economic collaboration.
Ross Curran, India Director, Enterprise Ireland Highlighted Ireland-based companies driving sustainability, such as Manna Drones, which is innovating drone delivery for medicines and daily essentials. He also spoke about the vision for a green future, focusing on efficiency, connectivity, and mobility. Additionally, he emphasized the India-Ireland relationship, discussing trade, education, and the need for stronger collaboration.
Venkata Subbarao Chunduru, Director, Arcadis IBI Group Spoke about Bangalore’s traffic challenges and the role of Astram initiatives in improving urban mobility. He also discussed humanizing technology in mobility, the challenges faced, and key case studies showcasing innovative solutions.
Prof. Satya Chakravarthy, Founder & CEO, The ePlane Company Addressed the future of ePlanes and their role in sustainable transportation. He highlighted how ePlanes can significantly reduce carbon emissions and contribute to a zero-carbon future. He also emphasized that the entire ePlane is designed and manufactured in India, showcasing innovation in clean aviation technology.
Madan Padaki, President, TiE Bangalore & Trustee, TiE Global Spoke about the Head Held High Foundation, which aims to eradicate rural poverty, starting in India. He also highlighted the work of TiE Global, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship through mentoring, networking, and education.
Jonas Brunschwig, CEO, Swissnex in India, Consul General of Switzerland Provided insights into fostering innovation and collaboration for the future. He highlighted the Indo-Swiss Innovation Platform and emphasized the need for partnerships to drive a sustainable future, focusing on health, sustainability, and digital transformation.