The Institute for Environment Research and Development (IERD), a federal government-registered research institute in Nigeria, is committed to conducting scientific research on environmental and developmental issues. With a team of esteemed professors specializing in various environmental disciplines, IERD has successfully hosted events at multiple sessions of the World Urban Forum, including those in Nanjing, China (2008), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2010), Naples, Italy (2012), and Medellin, Colombia (2014).
IERD’s contributions over the last decade have significantly influenced the final reports of the UN-HABITAT World Urban Fora. This sustained involvement led to IERD becoming a partnering organization of the African New Urban Agenda programme in 2013. Notably, in 2014, IERD facilitated the launch of the United Nations Habitat’s report on the State of World Cities at Caleb University, Lagos, Nigeria.
The 12th edition of UN-HABITAT has graciously approved IERD to jointly host the “Voices From Cities” event on November 6, 2024, at 9:30 AM in Room D of the International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Cairo, the official venue of the World Urban Forum.
This event aims to showcase the developmental achievements encapsulated in the “Voices of Nigerian Cities.” A comprehensive analysis of all 36 Nigerian states has been conducted, and cities with outstanding results have been selected to present their narratives at this global forum, which expects over 25,000 participants from 181 nations.
Key highlights of the event include insights from notable speakers:
– Dr. Wole Akiode, former IERD research fellow and current head of the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Kampala, Uganda, will identify five critical areas for discussion: city smartness, innovative development approaches, city prosperity index, security, peace, conflict management, and intercity cooperation.
– Prof. Oyebanji Oyelaran, Special Adviser to the President of the African Development Bank on Industrialization, will emphasize the importance of prudent governance spending and industrialization growth as vital components for Africa’s recovery from extreme poverty.
– Dr. Marwan Abdulkarim, Executive Director of Della Sustainability and Resource Institute, will advocate for grassroots, all-inclusive governance to elevate the Voice of Nigerian Cities on a global platform.
– Prof. Mathew Dayomi, a renowned urban planning professor, will highlight urban transportation as a key factor in assessing urban governance.
IERD is poised to present these critical topics for global debate and assessment at the Cairo summit. Additionally, esteemed experts such as Mr. Oumar Sally, Director of the African Regional Office of the United Nations, and Dr. Oluyinka Abiodun Olumide, Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, will share their insights during the event.
For more information, please contact:
**Prof. Elvis Otobo**
Media Consultant
Institute for Environment Research and Development, Nigeria
**Date:** 1 November 2024
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#IERD #UNHABITAT #WorldUrbanForum #VoicesFromCities #NigerianCities #SustainableDevelopment #UrbanGovernance #EnvironmentalResearch
