Summary

This report documents the progress made in the implementation New Urban Agenda in the Middle East and North Africa between 2018 and 2021. The report is based on desk review and analysis of a wide range of data sources, including the Voluntary Local Reviews for cities in the region and national reports on the implementation of the New Urban Agenda.

The report discusses; the progress made in the three transformative commitments of the NUA, which are social inclusion and ending poverty; inclusive urban prosperity and opportunities for all; and environmentally sustainable and resilient urban development; the effective implementation of the New Urban Agenda in terms of the urban governance structure and the planning and managing urban development; and the means of implementation of the NUA with respect to the mobilisation of financial resources; capacity development; and information technology and innovation.

In the Middle East and North Africa, it is important to develop a comprehensive communication strategy to raise public awareness of the importance of NUA implementation and promote the best practices and the successful pilot projects carried out by different countries. Moreover, digital solutions and approaches to implement NUA and monitor the implementation need to be accelerated.

Countries in the Middle East and North Africa could develop a NUA forum under the auspices of the League of Arab States to exchange experiences and best practices and, more importantly, to raise the necessary funds to boost the implementation of different NUA pillars.