Forum for Local Action Session Organized by UNESCWA

Building Resilient and Inclusive Smart Cities: Advancing Digital Transformation for Sustainability, Innovation, and Quality of Life
12 May 2025
Digital transformation is reshaping cities, integrating smart technologies to enhance resilience, sustainability, and inclusivity. The transition toward Smart and Sustainable Cities (SSC) aligns with global sustainability frameworks, emphasizing participatory governance and technological innovation. However, disparities persist, with 2.6 billion people lacking internet access and women disproportionately affected by the digital divide. To ensure equitable urban development, smart sustainable cities must prioritize people-centered approaches, embedding digital inclusion in planning. Arab and European cities share common goals but face distinct challenges shaped by their unique socio-economic and technological contexts. Regional efforts are increasingly focused on leveraging digital tools to enhance governance, mobility, sustainability, and inclusion. Successful digital transformation requires strategic leadership, targeted investment, and policy frameworks that integrate smart solutions into broader urban resilience planning.
- Discussing pathways to enhance digital transformation and improve urban services, infrastructure, and quality of life.
- Showcasing mechanisms that foster inclusive smart cities through human-centered urban planning.
- Presenting frameworks to facilitate knowledge and experience exchange on smart governance and sustainability between Arab and European cities.
- Exploring the role of partnerships between government, private sector, and civil society in providing innovative financing solutions.
- Aligning digital urban transformation efforts with global frameworks such as the SDGs and the New Urban Agenda.
Open to All Attendees