Local Action for Sdg Achievement and Urban Resilience

In today's rapidly urbanizing world, cities are at the forefront of sustainable development efforts. With over half of the global population residing in urban areas, cities play a pivotal role in achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and building resilient communities. Local governments, organizations, and communities increasingly recognise the importance of collaborative networking to address complex urban challenges and advance sustainable development agendas.

Madinah’s networking event seeks to delve into the strategies, initiatives, and partnerships that empower local stakeholders to drive positive change within their communities. By focusing on the intersection of sustainable development goals and urban resilience, the discussion aims to highlight the critical role of local action in building inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities for all.

The event is a journey of discovery, focusing on understanding how cities integrate the global SDGs into their local development plans, policies, and initiatives in their quest for SDG localization. It explores good practices based on the pioneering first three Arab cities in developing Voluntary Local Reviews, namely Amman(Jordan), Madinah (Saudi Arabia), and Agadir (Morocco). These practices serve as beacons of inspiration, highlighting how to build urban resilience and examining the strategies and best practices employed by cities to enhance resilience in the face of environmental, social, and economic shocks. It underscores the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration, community engagement, and innovative solutions in building adaptive and resilient urban systems.

Harnessing the power of networking is key to this event. The event explores how cities leverage networks, partnerships, and platforms to share knowledge and resources and showcase city-to-city cooperation, regional initiatives, and global networks for sustainable urban development. Last, yet importantly, the event aims to scale impact by identifying opportunities for expanding successful local initiatives and replicating innovative solutions across cities and regions. Through interactive discussions and diverse perspectives, the event aims to inspire actionable insights for advancing local sustainable development and building resilient cities.