UCLG-MEWA Executive Bureau 2025
A Regional Dialogue on
“Shaping the Future of Local Governance and Quality of Life”
The UCLG-MEWA Executive Bureau Meeting will take place on May 28-29, 2025, in Aksaray, Türkiye, bringing together municipal leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss key global and regional matters and priorities shaping local governance in the Middle East and West Asia (MEWA) Region.
In addition to administrative meetings, the event will feature thematic sessions addressing two critical topics that are essential for advancing sustainable and inclusive urban development:
Measuring Quality of Life in the Middle East and West Asia
The world is rapidly evolving, and the perception of what constitutes a “good life” has shifted. Local decision-makers increasingly require reliable data and insights to understand their constituents’ priorities and improve their quality of life, considering local contexts and lived experiences.
Launched in 2022 by the Quality of Life Program Center in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and implemented by UN-Habitat, the Quality of Life Initiative and Index is a comprehensive framework designed to assess and enhance well-being in cities across the MEWA Region. The initiative seeks to position quality of life as a unifying concept within local and global development agendas. By bridging existing data gaps and supporting evidence-based decision-making, it aims to create more livable, sustainable, and people-centered cities.
The initiative helps establish measurable indicators that reflect key aspects of urban life, including:
- Access to essential services (healthcare, education, housing)
- Environmental sustainability (air quality, green spaces, climate resilience)
- Economic opportunities (employment, entrepreneurship, financial security)
- Social inclusion and equity (gender equality, community participation)
- Governance and public trust (transparency, citizen engagement, service delivery)
With growing interest from city networks, national governments, UN agencies, NGOs, and academic institutions, the initiative has already welcomed 30 cities worldwide. This reflects a strong global commitment to enhancing urban well-being through localized strategies.
In cooperation with UN-Habitat Saudi Arabia, UCLG-MEWA is organizing a workshop in the framework of UCLG-MEWA Executive Bureau Meeting to introduce the Quality of Life Initiative and Index. This workshop will provide local leaders with the necessary knowledge, tools, and data-driven insights to implement effective policies that enhance the quality of life in their communities.
Capacity-Building for Municipal Staff: Training of Trainers on the Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
In recognition of the pivotal role that local governments play in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, this session will focus on enhancing municipal capacity through the Training of Trainers (ToT) program on SDG Localization.
The ToT modules are crafted to deepen understanding of the SDG localization process, covering essential elements of how global development goals can be integrated into local governance and urban planning. Key objectives of the training include:
- Empowering local and regional government (LRG) officials, public staff, technical experts, and other stakeholders to align their activities with the SDGs.
- Developing strategies for SDG mapping and awareness-raising using engaging resources such as articles, infographics, and interactive exercises.
- Equipping participants with practical tools to embed SDGs into municipal policies, service delivery, and community engagement efforts.
This training will be held in collaboration between Aksaray Municipality, UCLG-MEWA, and UCLG Learning and will leverage the ‘SDG Localization Module: Planning for Change with the SDGs’ as its core framework. The program will bring together municipal staff, urban experts, academics, and other relevant actors to ensure a comprehensive knowledge exchange.
Enhancing local expertise and strengthening institutional capacity, the ToT initiative will empower local governments to lead effective SDG implementation, creating inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban environments.
Addressing Climate Challenges: Aksaray Municipality’s Presentation on Drought in Central Türkiye
As one of Türkiye’s driest provinces, Aksaray faces severe water scarcity, threatening agriculture, biodiversity, and local livelihoods. Aksaray Municipality will deliver a comprehensive presentation on the situation of drought in Aksaray based on these sub-heads:
a.) Meteorological Drought
b.) Agricultural Drought
c.) Hydrological Drought
d.) Socioeconomic Drought
e.) Drought-Induced Sinkholes and Surface Cracks
This session will highlight the broader regional and global efforts in climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction, emphasizing the critical role of local governments in addressing environmental challenges.