BEIRUT, July 23 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) on Tuesday launched the Arab Mayors Academy, a joint program to equip leaders with cutting-edge knowledge and tools to effectively address urban challenges and leverage opportunities in their respective cities.
A statement released by the United Nations in Beirut said the first edition of the program is implemented in partnership with United Cities and Local Governments - Middle East and West Asia Section (UCLG-MEWA) with the participation of 13 governors, mayors, and city leaders from across the Arab region, including from Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the State of Palestine and Tunisia.
At the opening ceremony, Rania Hedeya, regional representative of UN-Habitat, said Arab cities increasingly find themselves facing such challenges as rapid urbanization and climate change compounded with natural hazards, economic shocks, and conflict, and the program would equip local authorities with the necessary knowledge and tools to address these issues.
Sukaina Al-Nasrawi, head of the Sustainable Urban Development Portfolio at ESCWA, said, "The development landscape is quickly changing along with global decentralization trends and accelerated technological advancement."
"Planning for sustainable development is no longer limited to national authorities; on the contrary, local authorities have an unprecedented role in pushing development forward amid these transformative times," she added. ■