The implementation of the New Urban Agenda (NUA) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development requires a concerted effort to rethink urban development and planning. Supporting national and local governments to develop strategies and action plans on the topic is one of the most important pillars for implementing both agendas. Accordingly, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is implementing the global project  on “Inter-Regional Cooperation to Implement the New Urban Agenda” in the Arab region in cooperation with the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN Habitat).

This project is being implemented in nine countries globally and it focuses on strengthening the capacity of policymakers and stakeholders at the national and local levels to develop national and local urban plans and evidence-based urban policies. It also aspires to strengthen the capabilities to  follow up and review the progress made in implementing the NUA and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to cities, to enhance regional cooperation between cities, and to share experiences and knowledge on the subject.

This meeting  officially  launches the implementation of the project in Jordan at the national level and at the local level in its capital, the city of Amman, through an inclusive process that engages all stakeholders related to urban development and urban policies in Jordan and in Amman; thus, directing the implementation of the Project towards the priorities of urban development in the country.

The main objective of the meeting is to launch the project at the national and local levels and introduce participants and urban development stakeholders to its  objectives, activities, expected outputs, and implementation time frame. The meeting also discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the implementation of Goal 11 of the SDGs and the NUA, and surveys the challenges of urban development in Jordan, particularly in Amman, as well as the related national and local urban policies, thereby directing the outputs of the project.