ESCWA’s Urban Development and Knowledge Management portfolios co-organized three sessions during the 6th Arab Ministerial Forum for Housing and Urban Development, highlighting the central role of cities and local leadership in advancing sustainable development in the Arab region. Through the sessions “Empowering Local Leadership for Sustainable Urban Development: The Role of the Arab Mayors Academy,” “Digital Urban Transformation in the Arab World,” and “Development Starts Locally: The Role of Cities in Accelerating Sustainable Development,” the discussions emphasized that achieving sustainable housing and improved quality of life depends on strong local leadership, accelerated digital transformation, and effective multilevel governance. Participants stressed the need to translate capacity-building initiatives, such as the Arab Mayors Academy, into concrete local action, and to leverage digital tools and data to improve urban planning, service delivery, and transparency. The exchanges also underlined the importance of aligning local and national priorities, strengthening partnerships, and adopting evidence-based approaches to accelerate SDG implementation. The participation of the second cohort of the Arab Mayors Academy further reinforced peer learning, regional networking, and the linkage between capacity-building and high-level policy dialogue.
Athens, Greece
