eThekwini Ranked Among Top Ten Global Cities in Governance and Citizen Well-being
eThekwini Ranked Among Top Ten Global Cities in Governance and Citizen Well-being
eThekwini Ranked Among Top Ten Global Cities in Governance and Citizen Well-being
The eThekwini municipality actively expanded its economic,trade and cultural cooperation with global cities and BRICS countries, leading to significant progress in governance and the well-being of its citizens.
As one of the key outcomes released at the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services, the Global SMILE City (SMILE Index) Expert Committee authoritatively unveiled the 2025 Global SMILE City Top 100, as well as the Top 100 Cities, Districts, and Counties in China’s SMILE Cities (SMILE Index). Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong maintained their positions among the global top ten smile cities. Cities such as eThekwini, Bangalore, Dubai, Riyadh, and São Paulo, which ranked in the Global Smile City Top 100, demonstrated high growth potential in investment environment, urban governance, and public services.
As a core member of the Global Smile City (SMILE Index) Expert Committee and the academic research implementing organization, International City Strategic Development&Cooperation Center (ICS) designed specialized research topics on urban governance, public services, Citizen Well-being,development opportunities, and international cooperation for the global top 100 cities. The study found that urban governance, economic development, and cooperation among BRICS countries continue to elevate the status of BRICS and BRICS+ nations in the global city landscape. Despite intensifying competition among international cities in areas such as investment, talent, technology, ecology, and governance, BRICS city partners have maintained robust stability and sustainable development.
The eThekwini municipality actively expanded its economic,trade and cultural cooperation with global cities and BRICS countries, leading to significant progress in governance and the well-being of its citizens.
eThekwini, Africa’s largest port city and one of the most growth-potential cities among BRICS nations, along with 49 other global metropolises such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and London, were selected as subjects for the ICS research project titled “Governance, Public Services, Citizen Well-being and Development Opportunities of Global SMILE Cities.” The results showed that Singapore, London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Stockholm, Zurich, Frankfurt, Doha, Dubai, and eThekwini made it to the global top ten list.
The 2025 Global SMILE City Index assessment was launched on January 16, 2025, covering 770 cities worldwide. The evaluation process involved over 40 global experts and scholars in digital economy and smart cities, with support and participation from numerous cities across the globe and within China. Based on the “Global SMILE City (SMILE Index) Evaluation and Rating Indicator System,” the Expert Committee employed nine major methodologies, including online information collection, big data index preliminary selection, AI-assisted selection, online applications, questionnaires, on-site research, self-recommendations by organizations, expert recommendations, and comprehensive evaluation and rating. This ensured the scientific, objective, fair, and impartial nature of the annual Smile City Top 100 assessment and rating results.
Qin Gang, senior member of the Global Smile City (SMILE Index) Expert Committee, Director-General of International City Strategic Development&Cooperation Center (ICS), and senior researcher at the State Information Center, stated that the Global SMILE City evaluation system aligns with the six key elements—innovation, livability, beauty, resilience, civility, and intelligence—proposed at China’s Central Urban Work Conference. It comprehensively enhances the humanistic and international dimensions of the Global Smile City Index, adhering to the mission of “modern people-oriented cities” and the principle of “cities for the people.” The system has evolved from its original focus on new smart city evaluation into a comprehensive research framework encompassing global urban governance, infrastructure, livelihood security, digital economy, cultural exchange, and international cooperation capabilities.
The 2025 Global SMILE City Index revealed that Zurich (Switzerland), Copenhagen (Denmark), Beijing (China), Dubai (UAE), Hong Kong (China), Singapore, Seattle (USA), Geneva (Switzerland), Stockholm (Sweden), and Shanghai (China) ranked among the global top ten.
The eThekwini municipality actively expanded its economic,trade and cultural cooperation with global cities and BRICS countries, leading to significant progress in governance and the well-being of its citizens. Photo by ICS
（Global SMILE City & SMILE Index Expert Committee）
About ICS
International City Strategic Development&Cooperation (ICS) is an international think tank engaged in global urban sustainable development strategies. Its core functions are to promote innovation, inclusivity, resilient development, cultural exchange, and global city governance in international cities. ICS is deeply involved in the evaluation system of the Global Smile Cities (SMILE Index) and closely aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Background and Positioning
As a core member of the Global Smile Cities (SMILE Index) Expert Committee, ICS focuses on urban strategic research, dedicated to translating the UN SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) into practice. It emphasizes a development model that balances "humanistic care" and "technological integration."
Authority and Connections
Mr. Qin Gang, the Director-General of ICS, is a Senior Fellow at the World Information Institute of State Information Center.
He holds authoritative influence in urban development strategies, international city benchmarking, and research on China’s urban modernization pathways. He proposed the concept of the "Fifth-Generation City," which emphasizes the integration of urban spirit shaping and institutional innovation-driven development. He is the author of representative works such as "City Context " and "City Strategies"
In collaboration with World Information Institute of State Information Center,Director-General Qin Gang leads global urban policy dialogues. His perspectives have been adopted as a benchmark framework in the UN SDG Practice Dialogues.
Core Functions and Activities
Strategic Research:
ICS develops urban evaluation systems, such as the pioneering "SMILE
Index" humanistic dimension (including pillars of inclusiveness and friendly cooperation), addressing the shortcomings of traditional smart cities that over-rely on technical indicators.
It publishes reports like "The Charm of Global Smile Cities," demonstrating the synergy between Chinese-style modern urban goals (innovation, livability, resilience) and the SDGs.
Global Practice:
ICS leads the 2025–2026 Global Smile Cities Top 100 SMILE Index evaluation, covering over 100 cities. Using "happiness, fairness, and ecological sustainability" as benchmarks, it promotes urban transformation.
In January 2026, ICS organized the UN SDG Practice Dialogue in Beijing, bringing together diplomats from 30 countries and international organizations (such as the BRICS Youth Development&Cooperation Organization) to launch the index rating.
International Cooperation and Impact
Multilateral Collaboration:
ICS has established partnerships with embassies in China from countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Germany, Spain, Ukraine, India, South Korea, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Rwanda, Brazil, and the Solomon Islands. Together, they are building a case library for the "Belt and Road" Sustainable Cities Alliance, focusing on promoting green smart transportation and low-carbon planning.
Global Initiatives:
Through Taihao International Think Tank (an ICS-affiliated institution), ICS promotes the concept of a "Community with a Shared Future for Mankind," aiming to attract over 50 new cities to join the evaluation by 2026 and enhance the resilience of cities in developing countries.