Saturday, 24 May 2025

Data For Resilient Cities: United Nations, World Council on City Data (WCCD) and Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM) Workshop Held in the United Arab Emirates Brings Cities and Investors Together to Build Resilient Futures

   

Ajman, United Arab Emirates – In response to rising climate-related disasters and the urgent need for sustainable infrastructure investment, the United Nations, World Council on City Data (WCCD) and Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM) Workshop took place on May 6 and 7, hosted by Ajman, United Arab Emirates. The two-day workshop brought together cities from across Africa, Asia and the Middle East—including, Windhoek (Namibia), Kisumu (Kenya), Banjul City (The Gambia), Minna (Nigeria), Makati City, in Greater Manila (Philippines), Al Madinah (Saudi Arabia), Doha (Qatar), Ajman (United Arab Emirates), Dammam (Saudi Arabia) — alongside UN leaders and financial sector experts. Together, they were addressing two critical global challenges: the ongoing financing gap faced by cities and the persistent data gap that limits access to investment from banks and financial institutions for cities to plan and build more resilient infrastructure and safer cities into the future. 

This high-level workshop introduced global urban leaders to ISO 37123—Indicators for Resilient Cities and ISO 37125—Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Indicators for Cities, the first ESG data standard tailored for cities and regions. Together, these ISO standards offer a powerful solution to the dual challenge of resilience planning and readiness.

Workshop Objectives: Bridging the Gaps 

The workshop was anchored in the central theme of Data for Resilient Cities—a call to action for greater collaboration between and across cities globally and the financial sector. By leveraging standardized, third-party verified city data, local governments can adopt a governance strategy for a more resilient future and prepare for and mitigate risk through planning strategic and resilient infrastructure investment for the future safety of their citizens. Financial institutions looking to the growing municipal finance sector, and seeing a rise in ESG related investments in cities accessing the sustainable bond markets (for example in their issuance of green bonds, social bonds and sustainability bonds) require access to reliable Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics at the city level, essential for informed investment decisions. The data generated for cities in adopting ISO 37123 and ISO 37125 offers a clear path to align public resilience planning with private sector financing. This globally standardized and third-party verified data equips cities with reliable ESG metrics essential for informed investment decisions and also supports financial institutions in the growing municipal finance sector and debenture market. 

“The objective is clear,” said Dr. Patricia McCarney, President and CEO of the World Council on City Data (WCCD) and Director of Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM). “We are bringing together cities from across key global regions to engage in a focused dialogue: cities need both data and funding to effectively address persistent resilience challenges. This workshop provides cities with insights into the evolving municipal bond market and demonstrates how ISO 37123 and ISO 37125 can support local government sin accessing the capital markets—equipping them with the tools to take meaningful, collaborative action.”

Dr. Hajar Saeed Alhubaishi, Director General of the Ajman Statistics Center, emphasized, “the organization of this workshop in the Emirate of Ajman embodies our continued commitment to enhancing the resilience of cities through accurate statistical indicators and global standards. It also reaffirms our belief in the importance of international cooperation to build a safer and more sustainable future. We are always keen to adopt best practices and promote innovative approaches in the field of urban risk management." 

Sanjaya Bhatia, Head of Global Education and Training Institute, UNDRR emphasized the importance of the Workshop, stating that “with disasters accelerating and urban services under increasing pressure, this workshop marks a pivotal moment—where cities and the financial sector unite around standardized, verified data to drive resilient investment. Together, through ISO 37123 and ISO 37125, we are equipping cities with the tools to not only prepare for a safer future, but to make it possible.” 

The workshop is also a key milestone under the United Nations Disaster Risk and Recovery (UNDRR) Office Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) initiative and supports alignment with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and UN Sustainable Development Goals. 

City-to-City Learning and Finance-Ready Dialogue 

Day one focused on the implementation of ISO 37123 and the power of certified resilience data to shape emergency planning, disaster recovery, and strategic urban governance. Participating cities from across Africa, Asia and the Middle East showcased lessons learned and engaged in peer-to-peer exchanges on resilience challenges and solutions. 

Day two shifted to introducing the ISO 37125 Standard and the role of ESG metrics in unlocking capital markets and funding for city resiliency. International Organization leaders joined municipal leaders to explore how certified city data is aligned with the evolving municipal bond market, including municipal bonds, green, sustainable and social bonds and sustainability-linked bonds to support more resilient infrastructure investment in cities.

Outcomes for a Resilient Future Participants left the workshop with:

  • Knowledge of how to apply ISO-certified data to risk reduction and capital planning
  • Strategies to build investor-ready ESG profiles
  • A clearer understanding of how to align local resilience goals with global finance frameworks

This workshop builds on the success of the previous session held on April 24–25 in Canada, which brought together cities from across the Americas. Led by the United Nations, WCCD, and SUM, this partnership initiative is ushering in a new era of data-driven resilience—empowering cities not only to recover, but to lead. 

For media inquiries, please contact: 

World Council on City Data (WCCD): info@dataforcities.org 
Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM): director@standardizedurbanmetrics.ca 
UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR): media@un.org

“The World Council on City Data” 
www.dataforcities.org 
Twitter: WCCityData
LinkedIn: World Council on City Data

Learn more: www.dataforcities.org
www.standardizedurbanmetrics.com

Monday, 12 May 2025

Data For Resilient Cities: United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), World Council on City Data (WCCD) and Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM) Workshop Held in Canada Brings Cities and Investors Together to Build Resilient Futures

   

Vaughan, Canada – In response to rising climate-related disasters and the urgent need for sustainable infrastructure investment, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), World Council on City Data (WCCD) and Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM) Workshop took place April 24 and 25 in Vaughan, Ontario. The two-day workshop convened cities across the Americas - from Buenos Aires to Toronto to Reykjavik, UN leaders, and financial sector experts to address two critical global challenges: the ongoing funding gap faced by cities, and the persistent city data gap faced by banks and investors.

This high-level workshop introduced global urban leaders to ISO 37123—Indicators for Resilient Cities and ISO 37125—Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) for Cities, the first ESG data standard tailored for cities and regions. Together, these ISO standards offer a powerful solution to the dual challenge of resilience planning and investment readiness.

Workshop Objectives: Bridging the Gaps

The workshop was anchored in the central theme of Data for Resilient Cities—a call to action for greater collaboration between and across cities globally and the financial sector. By leveraging standardized, third-party verified city data, local governments can adopt a governance strategy for a more resilient future and prepare for and mitigate risk through planning strategic and resilient infrastructure investment for the future of their citizens. Financial institutions gain access to reliable Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics essential for informed investment decisions. The data generated for cities in adopting ISO 37123 and ISO 37125 offers a clear path to align public resilience planning with private sector financing. This globally standardized and third-party verified data equips cities with reliable ESG metrics essential for informed investment decisions and also supports financial institutions in the growing municipal finance sector.

“The objective is clear,” said Dr. Patricia McCarney, President and CEO of the World Council on City Data (WCCD) and Director of Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM). “We are bringing cities and banks into the same room to address two critical challenges—cities need funding, and investors need data. This workshop equips both with the tools to take meaningful, collaborative action.”

Sanjaya Bhatia, Head of Global Education and Training Institute, UNDRR emphasized the importance of the Workshop, stating that “with disasters accelerating and urban services under increasing pressure, this workshop marks a pivotal moment—where cities and the financial sector unite around standardized, verified data to drive resilient investment. Together, through ISO 37123 and ISO 37125, we are equipping cities with the tools to not only prepare for a safer future, but to make it possible.”

The workshop was also a key milestone under the UN-led Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) initiative and supported alignment with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and UN Sustainable Development Goals.

City-to-City Learning and Finance-Ready Dialogue

Day one focused on data-driven resilience strategic planning and the implementation of ISO 37123 and the power of certified resilience data to shape emergency planning, disaster recovery, and strategic urban governance. Participating cities and regions—Toronto, Vaughan, Mississauga, Regional Municipality of York, Reykjavik, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, and Montego Bay—showcased lessons learned and engaged in a peer-to-peer exchange on resilience challenges and solutions.

Day two shifted to finance, introducing the ISO 37125 Standard and the role of ESG metrics in unlocking capital markets. Sustainable finance leaders from the National Bank of Canada, RBC, Scotiabank, and Avondale Private Capital joined municipal leaders to explore how certified city data is powering new forms of investment, including municipal bonds, green, sustainable and social bonds and sustainability-linked bonds to support more resilient infrastructure investment in cities.

The need to finance resilient infrastructure and “build back better” initiatives is more urgent than ever. At COP28’s Zero Climate Disasters by 2030 discussion, UNDRR noted an 80% increase in the number of people affected by disasters since 2005, and projected that by 2030, climate-related disasters could occur at a rate of 1.5 per day.

Outcomes for a Resilient Future

Participants left the workshop with:

  • Knowledge of how to apply ISO-certified data to risk reduction and capital planning
  • Strategies to build investor-ready ESG profiles
  • A clearer understanding of how to align local resilience goals with global finance frameworks

The success of the workshop in Canada continued May 6–7 with its second session in the United Arab Emirates bringing together cities across the middle east, Africa and Asia. This workshop by UNDRR, WCCD, and SUM is driving a new era of data-driven resilience, empowering cities not just to recover—but to lead.

For media inquiries, please contact:


World Council on City Data (WCCD): info@dataforcities.org

Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM): director@standardizedurbanmetrics.ca
UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR): media@un.org

Learn more:
www.dataforcities.org
www.standardizedurbanmetrics.com