The Second Edition of the Arab Mayors Academy, launched by UN-ESCWA and UN-Habitat, convened mayors, governors, and senior municipal leaders from across the Arab region for a two-day executive training in Beirut on August 6, 2025, followed by a four-month online learning program until December 2025.
Designed to strengthen local leadership and accelerate SDG localization, the Academy addresses urgent urban challenges, including climate change, population growth, and socioeconomic pressures, culminating in a joint certification ceremony in December 2025.
During the opening session, Yehia Ibrahim, Coordinator for R&D and Projects at UCLG-MEWA, delivered a presentation titled “From Global Goals to Local Action: UCLG and UCLG-MEWA’s SDG Localization Efforts.”
In his presentation, Ibrahim outlined UCLG-MEWA’s comprehensive approach to localizing the SDGs in the Middle East and West Asia region. He shared insights from the 2025 Sustainable Development Report and regional SDG dashboards, underscoring the progress and challenges faced by municipalities.
Highlighting the importance of Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) as a tool for evidence-based planning, he also presented UCLG-MEWA’s contributions through the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments, the UCLG Learning Platform, and a wide range of publications, initiatives, and peer-learning modules. The presentation emphasized how local governments can transform global commitments into practical, context-driven policies that enhance resilience, inclusivity, and quality of life in cities across the region.
