“Understanding Local Economies: Tools and Methods.” This will enable discussion of a research study commissioned by the Cities Alliance, and the World Bank with Dutch Trust Funds to identify good practices in local economy competitiveness assessments. The event aims to show why a better understanding of local economies will improve development outcomes; how partnership efforts in understanding local economies can build better governance; sharing global good practice in local competitiveness assessments; and, identify tools to enable cities with reliable information design strategies with more confidence.

“How to integrate Environmental aspects in city long term strategic planning.” The event will facilitate the discussion of a Cities Alliance-commissioned study on how environmentally successful cities have put environment as key driver for economic sustainable development, as part of the Cities Alliance-UNEP Environment initiative on the integration of environmental aspects into its approaches and activities, particularly within city development strategies currently being undertaken in more than 160 cities.