Derry - a place of ideas & ambition, first Derry Summit told

PICTURED ABOVE: DERRY SUMMIT 2026. . . .The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Ruari McHugh pictured at the opening of the Derry Summit 2026 at Ulster University Magee's Great Hall. Included from left are Professor Duncan Morrow, UU, Florence McGowan, MW Advocates, Sibley Berty, MW Advocates, and Professor Malachy O'Neill, UU.

The first ever Derry Summit, a landmark event bringing together leading voices in urban development, culture, and economic growth took place at Ulster University’s Derry campus on Thursday.

Delivered in partnership with Ulster University, the Department for the Economy, and MW Advocate, the theme of the event was Our City, Our University, Our Future and over one hundred delegates from public, private and community sectors joined global and local experts and panelists. 

The Summit was chaired by RTÉ Europe Editor Tony Connelly, with keynote contributions from internationally renowned urbanist Pierre Laconte, former CEO of Derry City of Culture Shona McCarthy, and one of the city’s best known entrepreneurs Jennifer Neff.

Across the day, speakers and delegates explored how Derry can unlock its full potential - focusing on regeneration, innovation, and inclusive growth.

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Speaking ahead of the Summit, Summit organiser Sibley Berty outlined the motivation for the event: “The Derry Summit is about putting this city firmly on the map as a place of ideas, ambition, and delivery.

"Derry has all the ingredients of a great small city - talent, culture, and a strong sense of identity - and today is about connecting that to global thinking and practical action.

"The conversations at today’s Derry Summit are an important base to build upon as Derry faces a period of opportunity, growth and expansion in the coming years.”

Professor Malachy O’Neill, Director of Regional Engagement at Ulster University, welcomed the Summit to the University’s campus: “We are delighted to have hosted the Derry Summit here at Ulster University and my thanks go to the Department for the Economy and MW Advocate for their support in delivering this successful event.

“The Summit included powerful contributions from international and national experts as well as crucial local voices who contribute so much to the city. It was an invaluable opportunity to examine what a vision for the future of this city and region might be, combined with honest conversations and insights about where we are at present and what we need to do to realise our ambitions for this great city.”