UCLG-MEWA, in cooperation with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), kickstarted the Arab Mayors Academy with its first meeting held on 23-24 July 2024 in a hybrid mode.
The events will continue online until the second edition of the academy, which will be held in Cairo, Egypt, in November. In this context, three important events were held in August.
Smart Sustainable Cities: Inclusive Digital Transformation
The webinar titled “Smart Sustainable Cities: Inclusive Digital Transformation,” held on August 14, 2024, discussed the digital transformation processes and sustainability strategies of cities. During the event, experts, academics, and city managers discussed matters of making smart cities more inclusive and the contribution of digital technologies to sustainable development goals. While participants evaluated the social and economic impacts of digital transformation in cities, they also examined the opportunities this transformation provides regarding sustainability and inclusion.
Navigating the Future of Transport in Cities
The second webinar of Arab Mayors Academy convened its second webinar on August 21, 2024, focusing on the future of urban transportation. The event explored innovative strategies and innovations in city mobility.
Participants delved into emerging technologies and approaches within the transportation sector, outlining steps to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of urban transit networks.
The webinar facilitated an exchange of ideas on the evolution of future transportation systems and their potential impact on urban development. Attendees discussed how these advancements could shape and benefit their cities.
Building Healthy, Green and Safe Cities: Local Action and Strategic Plan for Change
The final Arab Mayors Academy webinar of the month was held on August 28, and the topic was “Building Healthy, Green, and Safe Cities: Local Action and Strategic Planning for Change.”
This webinar focused on how local governments can make cities better places to live while following sustainability principles. Participants discussed the challenges and opportunities in creating and using local action plans.
These events, carried out in cooperation with UCLG-MEWA, UN-Habitat, and UNESCWA, are considered as a crucial step in the search for solutions to the current problems faced by cities. This event was part of a series of three webinars aimed at helping build more sustainable and inclusive cities by letting city leaders, planners, and key stakeholders share their knowledge and experiences.