São José dos Campos was a finalist for the LATAM Smart City Awards 2026 and establishes itself as an innovative city in Latin America in ESG, governance, and urban technology.
São José dos Campos is today an innovative city in Latin America, recognized internationally.
Confirmation came in June 2026 , when the municipality was selected as one of the three finalists for the LATAM Smart City Awards 2026 , one of the continent's most prestigious awards dedicated to urban innovation.
This recognition is the result of years of investment in data-driven governance, international ESG certification, and an industrial ecosystem that already attracts global companies to the city.
What is the LATAM Smart City Awards 2026?
The LATAM Smart City Awards is one of the leading urban innovation awards in Latin America.
It is part of the Smart City Expo LATAM Congress program , one of the largest events on the continent about technology for cities, promoted by Fira Barcelona Mexico.
In 2026, the award had four categories: LATAM City , Digital Transformation, Sustainable Urban Development and Mobility, and Equitable and Collaborative Society. São José dos Campos competed in the LATAM City category with the project "World ESG Leader and First ISO 37125 City".
How does the award evaluation work?
The projects are evaluated by an international jury , based on four criteria:
- Innovation of the solution presented;
- Social impact generated in the city;
- Technical viability from the project;
- Replication potential in other smart cities in Brazil and Latin America.
São José dos Campos, Santiago and Cali
In the LATAM City category, São José dos Campos competed in the final against two other cities:
- São José dos Campos Brazil — World Leader in ESG and First City ISO 37125 Certified
- Santiago Chile — Santiago Smart Region.
- Cali Colombia: Growing: A model of urban resilience and ecosystem assets.
Reaching the final alongside two major Latin American capitals is, in itself, a significant indicator: it confirms that São José dos Campos ' management model is comparable to continental benchmarks in smart cities in Brazil and the region.
The journey to ISO 37125 platinum certification
The candidacy is based on a solid technical track record. In November 2025 , during COP30 in Belém, São José dos Campos became the first city in the world to achieve ISO 37125 platinum level certification , granted by ABNT.
The certification assessed 133 indicators of sustainability, efficiency in public management, innovation, and quality of life.
The municipality already maintained a platinum level in the ISO 37120, 37122 and 37123 standards, which are focused on smart , sustainable and resilient cities , respectively.
This set of certifications is what technically supports the award nomination: it's not a narrative constructed for the occasion, it's a track record that has already been internationally audited.
What sustains the innovation ecosystem of São José dos Campos?
The title of innovative city is the result of a combination of technology applied to public management and a consolidated productive ecosystem. Among the initiatives that supported the candidacy are:
- Use of data intelligence in municipal administration;
- Expansion of digital services to the citizen;
- Projects decarbonisation and energy transition;
- Electrification of the public transport fleet, which will make São José dos Campos the The first Brazilian municipality with a 100% electric bus fleet.
This technology base for cities directly aligns with the municipality's industrial vocation. It's the same territory that houses one of the most advanced aerospace and high-tech industrial hubs in the country , reinforcing the idea that urban innovation and industrial competitiveness go hand in hand.
This maturity is also reflected in foreign trade: the city is among the largest exporters in the state of São Paulo , with a portfolio of products with high added technological value. Efficient governance and export performance are part of the same cycle of competitiveness.
When does this achievement matter to investors?
For companies evaluating international expansion, governance and ESG indicators for cities have ceased to be a differentiating factor and have become decision criteria.
A city with audited ISO certification and consolidated public indicators reduces operational risk and increases regulatory predictability.
This is the same context that has led foreign delegations to São José dos Campos to learn firsthand about its industrial ecosystem, as shown by the international missions received by the city's aerospace sector.
The combination of internationally recognized urban innovation and established highly complex industries is a rare feat among Brazilian cities.
Invest SJC: Discover the ecosystem that supports this innovation.
The international recognition of São José dos Campos as an innovative city reflects an ecosystem that unites governance , technology , and highly complex industries.
Being a finalist for the LATAM Smart City Awards 2026 is external confirmation of an environment that already reduces operational risk for those who decide to establish an operation in the city.
It is precisely this ecosystem that Invest SJC translates into a structured process for investors.
The platform accompanies each stage of the decision-making process: from the initial contact , through the personalized Business Case with official data and sector-specific opportunities, to the technical visit to strategic areas, technology parks, and partner organizations.
The support continues in licensing and the regulatory environment , providing guidance on legal steps and workflows with the responsible agencies, and in implementation and integration into the ecosystem , connecting the company to talent, universities, and the local production chain.
For companies considering expanding operations in an environment prepared for scale and innovation, contact the Invest SJC team and learn about the steps to invest in São José dos Campos.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about São José dos Campos as an innovative city
It is one of the leading urban innovation awards in Latin America, part of the Smart City Expo LATAM Congress program. It recognizes city projects based on innovation, social impact, technical feasibility, and replication potential.
Because it combines international ESG certification (ISO 37125 platinum level), data-driven governance, electrification of public transport, and a consolidated industrial and technological ecosystem.
It is an international standard for smart city management. São José dos Campos was the first city in the world to achieve the platinum level of this certification, evaluated based on 133 indicators of sustainability, governance, and quality of life.
Santiago, Chile, and Cali, Colombia, were the other two finalists in the LATAM City category of the LATAM Smart City Awards 2026.
It reinforces the city's regulatory predictability and institutional maturity, factors that are increasingly valued by international companies when deciding where to establish new operations.
