Minister Augusto Nardes Highlights Governance in Smart Cities at the Lisbon Forum

TCU Minister Augusto Nardes participated in the XIII Lisbon Forum, addressing the topic of governance and its role in the development of smart cities. He emphasized that urban transformation should go beyond technological advancement, adopting a sustainable approach that considers the impacts of climate change. "A smart city uses technology to improve citizens’ lives, but what happens when that intelligence is confined within urban boundaries?" Nardes questioned, highlighting cities' vulnerability to natural disasters.

The panel included the Vice-President of the TCU, Minister Jorge Oliveira; the Brazilian Ambassador to Portugal, Raimundo Carreiro; the Governor of Rio de Janeiro, Cláudio Castro; and the Mayor of Recife, João Campos. The diversity of the participants reflected the broad relevance of the topic across different levels of government.

In his remarks, Minister Nardes warned that poor governance and lack of planning have contributed to crises such as the floods in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, where both cities and rural areas, interconnected, faced shared devastation. “We must see cities as part of a larger system, where the health of the urban environment is intrinsically linked to the rural,” he said.

The minister also stressed that “sustainability will only be achieved when urban management is integrated with the protection of natural resources. The future of our cities depends on our ability to govern holistically, ensuring that technology provides not only immediate solutions but also long-term resilience.”

About the Lisbon Forum

The XIII Lisbon Forum was held from under the theme “A Changing World — Law, Democracy and Sustainability in the Intelligent Era.” The event brought together academics, public officials, experts, civil society representatives, and authorities from Brazil and Europe to discuss how the rise of the Intelligent Era is shaping relationships between states, institutions, companies, and people.

Held annually, the Forum aims to foster debate on the key issues facing contemporary states. The 2025 edition explored how technology and artificial intelligence are influencing various fields and examined their impacts in Brazil, Europe, and beyond. By addressing cross-cutting themes, the event promotes a deeper understanding of today’s global challenges, including climate change, human rights, public policy, and international governance.