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# Barcelona Hosts 64 Cities for EU Economic Talks
- URL: https://barna.news/barcelona-hosts-64-cities-for-eu/
- Published: 2026-10-28T21:24:48.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-28T21:39:33.000Z
- Description: Barcelona hosts a major European forum on urban economic development, bringing together 64 cities to shape future EU policy.
- Author: Barna.News
- Tags: Economy & Finance

## European Cities Gather in Barcelona

Barcelona is hosting the Eurocities Economic Development Forum (EDF 2026) from 28th to 30th October 2026, a key gathering of municipal leaders, economic officials, researchers and business representatives from 64 cities across 22 European countries. The event, organised by Eurocities, a network of over 200 major European cities, aims to define strategies for urban economic competitiveness in light of the upcoming EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034\. Sessions will focus on innovation, talent retention, digitalisation, the circular economy and green transition.

## Mayor's Inauguration Cancelled Amid Toledo Tragedy

Mayor Jaume Collboni was scheduled to open the forum at the Disseny Hub Barcelona on Wednesday 28th October at 15:00, alongside Deputy Mayor Laia Bonet, Aix-Marseille-Provence Vice-President Pascaline Lecorché and Eurocities Secretary General André Sobczak. Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski was also set to deliver an opening keynote. However, the Barcelona City Council suspended all public events and press conferences on Wednesday due to the train accident in Toledo. The decision affected the mayor’s public agenda, though the Eurocities forum itself continued as planned.

> The Mayor of Barcelona is elected Vice President of Eurocities and makes housing policies the priority of his term.

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## Barcelona Showcases Innovation Projects

Despite the change in plans, Barcelona used the forum to highlight its economic model, presenting initiatives such as the 22@ innovation district, DFactory Barcelona, the Barcelona Digital Talent Hub and the Barcelona Supercomputing Center. Participants will also visit the Barcelona XRLAB and Mercat de Santa Caterina as part of site tours showcasing the city’s approach to sustainable urban development.

## Focus on Housing and the Right to Stay

A dedicated session will address housing and the 'Right to Stay, Your Region, Your Future' European declaration, which calls for policies to support long-term residency by creating local economic and social opportunities. The debate underscores Eurocities’ push to prevent population loss in urban centres through inclusive growth and affordable housing strategies.

## First Urban Competitiveness Monitor to Be Released

One of the forum’s key outputs will be the launch of the first Eurocities Monitor on Urban Competitiveness, a report compiled from data and insights provided by participating cities. It will assess drivers of urban competitiveness and shared challenges facing European local governments. The forum aligns with Barcelona’s Pla Impulsa economic roadmap, which aims to diversify the economy by 2035 through strategic sectors including technology, cultural industries, the care economy and the blue economy.

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*Sources:* [*El Periódico*](https://www.elperiodico.com/es/barcelona/20261028/barcelona-reune-64-ciudades-europeas-para-definir-el-futuro-economico-urbano-de-la-ue-135855425?ref=barna.news)*.*