Thematic session: Rethinking Planning and Programming Processes
Date: Tuesday, September 19
Time: 9.00 AM – 12.30 PM
Venue: Room 2, KICC

Event description:
This session provided an opportunity to exchange views and discuss tools and best practices on how to organize and effectively implement long term strategic planning of cities. Building on the experience of city practitioners, development partners and the research community, the challenge was to identify a path towards well-governed, environmentally sustainable, productive and socially inclusive cities.

Special Session: Rethinking Financing Policies
Date: Tuesday, September 19
Time: 9.00 AM – 12.30 PM
Venue: Room A, KICC

Organized by Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and Cities Alliance

Event description:
With the increase of urban population in the next twenty-five years, the investments needs for public infrastructure and services will certainly explode, adding a further burden to the already hard-pressed municipalities of the developing world. The session focused on the funding policies of the cities in developing countries of Africa.

Special Session: The Positive Impacts of Urbanization
Date: Wednesday, September 20
Time: 9.00 AM – 12.30 PM
Venue: Amphitheatre, KICC

Event description:
Based on the recently published Cities Alliance report, “The Urban Transition in Sub-Saharan Africa: Implications for Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction” by Christine Kessides, the session discussed ways to enable African cities to unblock their economic and poverty reduction potentials.

Special Session: Local Economic Development in Africa
Date: Wednesday, September 20
Time: 15.00 PM – 18.30 PM
Venue: Room B, KICC

Co-organized by Municipal Development Partnership (MDP) & Cities Alliance

Event description:
The session brought together leading practitioners to share recent experiences in designing and delivering LED strategies in the African context. It was a unique opportunity for representatives of national and local governments, the private sector and their development partners to discuss priority actions for the African local economic development agenda.