Cities in the Middle East and West Asia (MEWA) region are increasingly exposed to climate-related risks, including extreme weather events, heatwaves, floods, and environmental degradation. These impacts cause significant loss and damage to infrastructure, ecosystems, and communities, exacerbating social and economic vulnerabilities.
In response to this growing challenge, the UCLG-MEWA, in partnership with the Arab Towns Organization (ATO), is organizing a training with the title “Building Climate Resilience: Addressing Loss and Damage in the MEWA Region” between 17-18 September 2025 in Amman, Jordan hosted by the Greater Amman Municipality, underscoring the city’s commitment to supporting joint efforts for climate adaptation and municipal collaboration in the region.
This training will be held under the UCLG-MEWA Local Academy, a platform dedicated to enhancing the knowledge, skills, and capacities of local governments through targeted training, peer learning, and knowledge exchange. In this context, the activity will contribute to the Academy’s aim of empowering municipalities to address pressing urban challenges with practical, innovative, and locally adapted solutions.
Contributing to enhanced local climate action and resilience-building, The objectives of the training will be as follows:
- Enhance conceptual understanding of loss and damage in the MEWA region, including climate-related urban impacts and vulnerabilities.
- Highlight local case studies (e.g., Syria and Jordan) to showcase practical experiences and lessons learned in addressing climate-induced challenges.
- Strengthen the role of local governments in responding to and managing loss and damage through policy, planning, and community engagement.
- Introduce innovative approaches such as nature-based solutions and resilience-building exercises to reduce future risks.
- Explore financing opportunities and challenges for climate action at the local level to support sustainable and resilient urban development.
- Facilitate peer learning and exchange among municipalities, experts, and organizations to share local perspectives, best practices, and collaborative responses.
Develop actionable recommendations that can guide local climate resilience strategies and loss & damage interventions in the MEWA region.