High Level Dialogue - Session I: Brain Economy and Brain-Positive Cities

EMEA high-level dialogue “Brain Economy and Brain-Positive Cities: Building Urban Ecosystems for Human Flourishing, Resilience and Sustainable Development”, 06 July 2026 The first session focused on brain capital as a driver of economic growth, innovation and societal resilience. It also addressed the economic value of brain health and brain skills, urban challenges and opportunities in the age of cognitive economies, and approaches to measuring and investing in brain capital at the city level. The session was chaired by Prof. Rym Ayadi, Founder and President of EMEA, Founding Advisor to the Global Brain Economy Initiative, and Co-Founder of the Brain Capital Alliance. Speakers Paweł Świeboda, Founder and Director, NeuroCentury; Co-Founder, Brain Capital Alliance; EMEA Advisor Dr. Mara Dierssen, President, Spanish Brain Council; EMEA Advisor Marta Sanchez Bret, Director, WeMind Cluster Carme Gual, General Manager, La Farga GEMsa Discussants Pasquale D’Apice, Economic Analyst, European Commission Patrick McNamara, President and CEO, Palm Health Foundation Jokubas Ziburkus, Co-Director, MIND, University of Houston The session examined the growing relevance of brain capital to the economic and social development of cities, as well as the need for city-level strategies, indicators and investments that recognise brain health and brain skills as essential components of urban resilience.