From Risk to Resilience-Technical Assistance Driving Climate Solutions for Cities

The session will discuss how technical assistance and support mechanisms can enable the implementation of projects in cities that are highly exposed to climate risks and often lack technical and financial capacity. Through the exchange of experiences among governments and partners, the session will highlight pathways to accelerate climate-resilient development and foster safer, more sustainable communities. The debate will present strategies from the Plan to Accelerate Solutions for Resilient Urban Infrastructure, one of the outcomes of the COP30 Action Agenda, with the following objectives: -Highlight the urgency of empowering cities and regions to lead climate action, create green jobs, and drive inclusive, low-carbon development. -Emphasize the strategic role of technical assistance in enabling investments in urban climate adaptation. -Showcase country and city experiences. -Foster dialogue among governments, partners, and financiers to scale up local solutions and mobilizing investment. The session will present concrete initiatives: -A new support line under the Infrastructure Fund for Recovery and Adaptation to Extreme Climate Events (FIRECE), focused on specialized technical assistance for climate adaptation and resilient urban infrastructure. -The experience of Brazil’s National Secretariat of Peripheries with Periferia Viva Action Plan, implemented on the ground by Territorial Technical Advisory Teams (ATTs) and local support hubs known as Territorial Posts. -The Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Adaptation Plans, a Ministry of Cities of Brazil pioneering initiative that equips communities in informal settlements and urban peripheries with tools and methodologies. -The project Building Capacities and Connections in Technical Assistance for Social Housing (ATHIS) in the Global South, which establishes the foundations for technical cooperation between Brazil and other Global South countries in the housing sector. Guiding Questions -What are the main challenges local governments face when developing projects? -How can national governments expand local technical capacity through assistance aimed at preparing high-quality urban climate adaptation projects? -To operationalize technical assistance, it is necessary to map actors with regional outreach and specialized climate expertise. Which actors are best positioned to fulfill this structuring role-banks, city networks, universities, or international organizations?