Beirut, 6 August 2025--Building on the notable success of its first edition, and in a continued effort to advance sustainable urban development in the Arab region, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programmer - Regional Office for Arab States (UN-Habitat) today launched the second edition of the Arab Mayors Academy. This regional initiative is aimed at localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for improving quality of life and enhancing cities' resilience.
The Academy serves as a pioneering regional training platform designed to empower local leaders-including governors, mayors and senior municipal executives-by equipping them with the knowledge and practical tools needed to address the growing challenges facing Arab cities, particularly those related to climate change, population growth, and socioeconomic pressures.
In remarks delivered by Nagwa Lachine, UN-Habitat Regional Representative Rania Hedeya emphasized that cities in Arab countries were undergoing rapid urbanization, with 70% of the population expected to live in urban areas by 2050. "While cities and local authorities face diverse challenges, many are cross-border in nature", she noted, "the Academy, therefore, calls for strengthened communication and the exchange of experiences among Arab mayors, encouraging collaboration to achieve a shared vision for sustainable and resilient cities". "Through cooperation and innovation, meaningful and lasting change can be achieved in communities across the region," she stressed.
The Academy offers a comprehensive curriculum that combines executive training with personal development. It covers critical topics such as SDG localization, sustainable urban planning, urban recovery and reconstruction, housing and basic services, smart and sustainable cities, land management, strategic planning, urban diplomacy, results-based management, and environmental and climate issues. The curriculum was developed through consultations with over 130 local leaders across the region to ensure it directly addresses their priorities and challenges.
"The first edition of the Arab Mayors Academy proved to be more than just a training platform-it was a transformative experience," said Lead of the Sustainable Urban Development Portfolio at ESCWA Sukaina Al-Nasrawi. "With this second edition, we reaffirm our deep belief that empowering local leadership is not only a sustainable investment in the future of cities, but also a cornerstone for achieving inclusive development across the Arab region. We aspire to deepen dialogue among Arab cities, expand the Arab Mayors Network, and strengthen the role of the academy," she concluded.
The two-day event features thematic discussions and presentations on SDG localization to enhance quality of life. It also includes city-led showcases of local initiatives, voluntary local reviews, and successful experiences in urban recovery, climate action, fair housing, and local governance.
Local leaders from across the region-including from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia-are participating in this event. The Academy will include a series of online training sessions over a four-month period, culminating in a graduation ceremony in December 2025. Participants will receive a joint professional certificate from ESCWA and UN-Habitat and join the Academy's growing alumni network-now one of the leading city leadership platforms in the region.
In addition to webinars and in-person meetings, the programme includes self-paced online learning. Participants will have access to an interactive digital platform designed to support their learning journey, featuring digital lectures and resources, discussion forums, assignments, and networking opportunities.
This initiative comes at a time when flexible and innovative city management is more essential than ever, and when the role of local governments as key actors in achieving the SDGs-particularly Goal 11 on inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities-is increasingly recognized.
