Urban Fragility and the Future of International Development

The one-day event explored three key themes:

1. Exploring the connections between international development investments, social cohesion and global stability
2. Balancing crises and development: How European development funds can better address long-term urban resilience in fragile areas
3. From fragility to resilience: Community-driven solutions for lasting urban change

Programme

09:30 – 10:00    Registration 

10:00 – 10:05    Welcoming words: Mounia Tagma, Housing Policy Expert

10:05 – 10:15    Opening remarks: Maria Fernanda Espinosa, President of Cities Alliance, Former President of the United Nations General Assembly

10:15 – 10:40    Keynote address: Erica Gerretsen, Director, Human Development, Migration, Governance and Peace, DG-INTPA, European Commission

Session 1

10:40 – 12:10    Panel discussion: Exploring the connections between international development investments, social cohesion and global stability 

Moderator: Dora Meredith, Director ODI Europe

Speakers:
●    Jean Van Wetter, Managing Director, Enabel 
●    Jonathan Reckford, Chief Executive Officer, Habitat for Humanity
●    Greg Munro, Director, Cities Alliance
●    Julia Iversen, Director, Democracy, Digital Governance, Urban Development Centre, German Cooperation Agency, GIZ

12:15 – 13:30    Lunch

Session 2

13:30 – 14:45   Technical session: Balancing crises and development: How international development funds can better address long-term urban resilience in fragile areas

Moderator: Mounia Tagma, Housing Policy Expert

Speakers:
●    Cédric De Meeus, Vice President, Group Public Affairs & Social Impact, Holcim
●    Sergio Oliete Josa, Head of Unit, Sustainable Transport and Urban Development, DG INTPA, European Commission 
●    Judy Baker, Senior Urban Advisor Cities Alliance, Former Global Lead, Urban Poverty and Housing, World Bank 

14:45 – 15:00    Coffee break

Session 3

15:00– 16:30    Round table: From fragility to resilience: Community-driven solutions for lasting urban change

Moderator: Dyfed Aubrey, Head of Brussels Office, UN-Habitat
Speakers:
●   Mathabo Makuta, National Director, Habitat for Humanity Zambia 
●   Yue Cui, Director, Signify Foundation
●   Olivia Nielsen, Principal, Miyamoto International
●   Alexis Doucet, Urban Planning and Infrastructure Expert, Palestine, DRC, Ukraine, Enabel 
●   Dima Mannoun, Urban Planner, Syria

16:30 – 16:45    Closing remarks

• Maria Fernanda Espinosa, President, Cities Alliance
• Jonathan Reckford, CEO, Habitat for Humanity

Watch the recording here:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qQorWAOk4U