Arab Mayors Academy - Partnerships for Local Impact

Do not miss the chance to meet the pioneering Members of the First Edition of the Arab Mayors Academy!

Join us for an inspiring conversation on "Planning for Impact: Integrating Results-Based Management into Community-Based Planning"

Sukaina Al-Nasrawi

Facilitator

November 5, 2024 | 09:00 - 12:00

Multipurpose room 03

UNESCWA - United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia

Lebanon

Arabic, English, Arabic

Reference:

TE 03-01

WUF12

Training Events

Summary

The Arab Mayors Academy, launched in July 2024, is a collaborative initiative led by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). The first edition of the Arab Mayors Academy is implemented in partnership with the United Cities and Local Governments Middle East and West Asia Section (UCLG-MEWA).

This regional initiative is designed to strengthen the capacities of local leadership across the Arab region, equipping city leaders with the tools to address the complex challenges of urban development.

The Academy was established in response to pressing global issues, particularly those highlighted in the New Urban Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. City leaders today are tasked with localizing global sustainability frameworks while fostering inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban environments.

In a region marked by rapid urbanization, socio-economic disparities, and evolving urban challenges, local leaders require strong decision-making frameworks that combine strategic foresight with practical solutions. The Arab Mayors Academy has served as a catalyst for empowering city leaders through capacity building, executive training, and peer-to-peer learning, fostering a network of local champions for sustainable urban development.

The learning journey of the first edition of the Arab Mayors Academy has been multifaceted. It began with an in-person training at the UN-House in Beirut, Lebanon, in July 2024, followed by two online learning components: e-learning courses and a series of nine interactive webinars, which covered key urban development priority areas for the Arab region between August and October 2024. Notably, the webinars were open to the public, promoting knowledge sharing and broad participation.

This event, which marks the final training activity and wraps up the first edition of the Arab Mayors Academy, is being held at the 12th session of the World Urban Forum, focusing on planning for impact. The session is of particular interest to city leaders at large, offering valuable insights into effective urban planning and leadership strategies

Objectives

The objective of this training session is to equip participants with practical tools to integrate Results-Based Management (RBM) principles into community-based planning, enabling them to drive measurable impact within their local contexts.

By the end of the session, participants will have an enhanced understanding of how to design, implement, and monitor projects that align with both local and global development agendas. They will also develop strategic planning skills to ensure their initiatives deliver tangible outcomes and foster long-term sustainability. Key goals of this event include:
- Increasing participants' knowledge of Results-Based Management (RBM), focusing on setting clear, measurable goals, tracking progress, and assessing the effectiveness of strategies.
- Strengthening the ability to embed RBM into planning to achieve meaningful, community-driven results.
- Encouraging knowledge-sharing and peer learning among city leaders to adapt RBM to diverse urban contexts.

This final training of the Arab Mayors Academy will equip city leaders to actively integrate RBM into their governance practices, driving impactful and sustainable urban development.
- Lead with Impact: Participants will strategically apply RBM to create urban plans that align global sustainability frameworks with local priorities, ensuring their cities thrive in a changing world.
- Forward Thinking Strategic Planning: Leaders will hone their skills to design adaptable, long-term urban strategies that address current needs while anticipating future challenges, using data-driven methods for continuous improvement.
-Mobilize Resources for Growth: By aligning urban initiatives with global development trends, participants will enhance their ability to secure the funding and resources needed to drive their city's future success.
- Build a Regional Leadership Network: City leaders will strengthen their regional collaboration, positioning themselves as forward-thinking influencers in global urban governance while establishing the Arab Cities Leadership Network for continued cooperation and innovation.