Showing posts with label SDGs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SDGs. Show all posts

Tuesday, 3 March 2020

WCCD Brings Together Cities of the MENA Region To Discuss Their Commitment to the Dubai-WCCD Local Data Hub, and City Data as a Universal Language

   
From L to R: Mohammad Jaljouli (Dubai), Sanjaya Bhatia (UNDRR), Mohammed Aseeri (Medina), Hajar Seed (Ajman), Patricia McCarney (WCCD), Shumous Bin Faris Al Sebaia (Dubai), Akram Khasrit (Amman), James Patava (WCCD)
Following the successful launch of the Dubai-WCCD Local Data Hub in November 2019, a group of data-driven cities from across the Middle East – including Dubai (UAE), Medina (Saudia Arabia), Amman (Jordan), and Ajman (UAE) - alongside long-standing WCCD Partner, UNDRR came together for a side event at the UN World Urban Forum. With a decided focus on the importance of city data in creating smarter, more resilient, sustainable and inclusive cities, the group spoke at length on how WCCD’s ISO 37120 Series of Standards is helping to transform how they look at their cities both internally, and compared to the 100 WCCD member cities, across 39 countries. Click here for more photos of the event on the WCCD's Facebook page. 

Click below for a short video highlighting the event! 


Friday, 14 December 2018

#DATAFORCITIES - Celebrating Cambridge, Canada

   
#DATAFORCITIES  is a bi-weekly publication of the WCCD that highlights a data point from each of the WCCD Cities – and, more importantly, shows how each city is harnessing standardized data to build the sustainable, prosperous, smart, resilient and inclusive cities of tomorrow.

Every week a WCCD City will be profiled with a short, 3-page snapshot and promoted throughout the week with innovative visualizations across Twitter (#dataforcities),

Follow the WCCD across all of our social media channels to learn more about each city! A fully downloadable and shareable PDF of the profile can be found here. 

Previous reports can be found in the News and Updates section of the WCCD website.


https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sv3OIPO0iXiiuqGgSOZ7gYLOWoRN6OY2/view?usp=sharing

Monday, 5 February 2018

LA Mayor and WCCD CEO sign key agreement towards establishing LA-WCCD Local Data Hub

   
February 5, 2018
Los Angeles California

Today in Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti and Dr. Patricia McCarney, President and CEO of the World Council on City Data (WCCD) – located in Toronto, Canada - signed an MOU towards the establishment of the LA-WCCD Local Data Hub.

Patricia McCarney, WCCD President & CEO and Eric Garcetti,
Mayor of Los Angeles
“As a WCCD Foundation City, Los Angeles is part of a network of global cities committed to comparative high caliber city data. Los Angeles is a natural partner in helping to drive forward our shared agenda of harnessing standardized data to drive smarter, more sustainable, resilient, prosperous and inclusive cities. Locating one of the eight WCCD Local Data Hubs in Los Angeles City Hall, together with other leading cities from Dubai to Toronto to Buenos Aires, will help to drive forward progress on this key set of commitments,” stated Dr. McCarney. In addition to Mayor Garcetti, global city leaders such as Mayor John Tory of Toronto, the Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai, H.E. Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti and Mayor Horacio Rodríguez Larreta of Buenos Aires have stepped up to launch WCCD Local Data Hubs.

Beyond highlighting the importance of data-driven decision making at the city level, as well as the importance of global comparability as cities rise in importance internationally, Mayor Garcetti underlined his commitment to driving positive change at the city level while simultaneously driving global progress against the SDGs:  “Los Angeles can, should, and will lead in building the healthier and more prosperous world that we dream of for our children and grandchildren,” said Mayor Garcetti.

First certified in 2014, Los Angeles has achieved WCCD ISO 37120 Platinum Certification every year since joining the WCCD global network of cities. The WCCD has led the development of ISO 37120, the first international standard ever published for city level data. The LA-WCCD Local Data Hub will work towards building high calibre city data to drive progress on key local, national and global agendas. In addition to demonstrating LA’s commitment to data-driven decision making and sustainability, one initial priority of the LA-WCCD Local Data Hub will be to support the United Nations sustainability agenda by catalysing city-level tracking of progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The LA-WCCD Local Data Hub will leverage the set of 100 city indicators within WCCD’s ISO 37120 standard, which have been mapped across all 17 themes of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in a major report launched at United Nations Headquarters in July 2017 at a session hosted by the Office of the UN Secretary General on localizing the SDGs. Alongside the WCCD, Los Angeles is embracing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is committed to serving as an example throughout California, the United States and globally.

For more information, please contact:
James Patava
james.patava@globalcities.ca


Monday, 31 July 2017

WCCD CEO and Governor of Niger State sign MOU to establish the Minna-WCCD Local Data Hub

   

Patricia McCarney (front row, left) signs the MOU towards the establishment of the WCCD-Minna Local Data Hub with Professor Abdul Husaini (front row right), alongside His Excellency Abubakar Sani Bello, the Governor of Niger State, Nigeria (second row, second from left), the Nigerian Consul General (second row, third from left) and members of his Cabinet at the Nigerian Mission to the United Nations in New York.
On Friday, July 28th, the WCCD President and CEO, Dr. Patricia McCarney, was in New York to sign the initial MOU towards establishing the Minna-WCCD Local Data Hub with His Excellency Abubakar Sani Bello, the Governor of Niger State, Nigeria.

The Governor, alongside several members of his Cabinet and the Nigerian Consul General to New York, stressed that the establishment of the Minna-WCCD Local Data Hub was the beginning of a new phase of the WCCD’s longstanding relationship with Minna, and that the Local Data Hub would be pivotal in helping create a more sustainable, resilient and inclusive Niger state. “My presence here in New York this morning, with some of my cabinet members and technical staff, is to show our complete support and commitment to the selection of Minna as one of the first eight WCCD Local Data Hubs,” stated Governor Sani Bello. “I look forward to working with the World Council on City Data, and [its] sister organization, the Global Cities Institute at the University of Toronto, to improve the capacity of my staff and train our ever enthusiastic youthful population.” The Governor went on to state that beyond the Hub’s initial mandate to help cities and communities throughout Niger State create a culture of data based on WCCD’s ISO 37120 standard, that eventually the momentum would carry further throughout Nigeria and West Africa. He underlined the importance of data in helping to not just build more sustainable communities, but also more resilient communities in light of recent flooding that resulted in loss of life.

The WCCD Local Data Hubs – launched at the United Nations on July 17th – are a global initiative that will drive the consolidation and collection of high calibre, globally comparable and standardized city data throughout the world. Through the implementation of WCCD’s ISO 37120 standard globally, cities are better equipped to direct and inform investment, as well as localise global agendas such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. McCarney not only highlighted the WCCD’s longstanding relationship with Minna, and Niger State, but spoke about the evolution of this relationship through the establishment of the Minna-WCCD Local Data Hub. “Minna and Niger State have been long-term partners of the WCCD. As a WCCD Foundation City, Minna was essential in the effort to pilot ISO 37120, and moreover, was one of the first cities to commit to this ambitious undertaking. The establishment of a WCCD Local Data Hub in Minna will continue to drive this cooperation, and further catalyse action throughout the City, the State, Nigeria and the African Continent. The high calibre, standardized and internationally comparable data that is generated through this Hub will help to drive infrastructure investment, while helping to build sustainable and more resilient communities throughout Niger State.”


Dr. McCarney presents Governor Sani Bello with WCCD City Data for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The WCCD President and CEO also presented Governor Sani Bello with a copy of "WCCD City Data for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals", which was launched at the United Nations in New York on July 17th. 

In addition to the WCCD and Nigerian delegations, the event was also attended by Mr. Amir Dossal,  Founder and President of the Global Partnerships Forum and Ms. Amy Gill, Local Governance Specialist - Responsive and Accountable Institutions Team, at the United Nations Development Programme UNDP.


Beyond Minna, Nigeria, the initial network of WCCD Local Data Hubs includes Johannesburg (South Africa), Makati (Philippines), Dubai (UAE), Los Angeles (USA), Haiphong (Vietnam), Buenos Aires (Argentina) and Cambridge (Canada).  These cities are partnering with the WCCD to build ISO-certified city data to drive progress towards local, national and global agendas. The Local Data Hubs will focus on real action and results through four critical objectives: showcasing leadership, demonstrating results, catalyzing action and enabling city-to-city learning.



For more information, please contact:
James Patava

James.patava@globalcities.ca

Thursday, 20 July 2017

WCCD Announces the Launch of Local Data Hubs Around the World at the United Nations

   
Location of the first WCCD Local Data Hubs to be hosted in WCCD, ISO 37120 certified cities throughout the world. 
On Monday, July 17th, the WCCD was in New York at the United Nations, participating in Local2030 – Hubs for Sustainability Solutions. At this event, organised by the Executive Office of the UN Secretary General, the WCCD announced the establishment of eight, “Local Data Hubs” around the world to harness standardised, globally comparable, city data as essential to tackling global, national and local agendas.

The first WCCD Local Data Hubs include Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cambridge, Canada; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Haiphong, Vietnam; Johannesburg, South Africa; Los Angeles, California; Makati, Philippines and Minna, Nigeria. Representatives from both Buenos Aires and Cambridge were present at the United Nations in New York to announce the formation of Hubs in their respective cities.
Gary Dyke - Chief Administrative Officer, City of Cambridge, Canada (Centre) announces the establishment of the WCCD-Cambridge Local 2030 Data Hub, together with Carlos Colombo (Left) (Buenos Aires), and Stefan Schweinfest (Right), Director of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD)
Carlos Colombo, Undersecretary of Planning for the City of Buenos Aires signs the MOU towards establishing the WCCD-Buenos Aires Local Data Hub with the WCCD President & CEO, Dr. Patricia McCarney 
These Local Data Hubs will focus on real action and results through four critical objectives:

Showcasing Leadership. The Local Data Hubs will provide a platform to grow the network of data driven cities in the country and region.

Demonstrating Results. Through annual reporting of WCCD ISO 37120 Certified Data, the Local Data Hubs will directly demonstrate year over year progress towards local, national and global goals

Catalysing Action. The Local Data Hubs will use data to inform infrastructure investment, planning and decision making and track impacts over time.

Enabling City-to-City Learning. The Local Data Hubs will support city-to-city learning and ‘solutions transfer’ across metropolitan areas, countries and globally

According to Dr. Patricia McCarney, WCCD CEO and Director of the Global Cities Institute at the Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design at the University of Toronto: “At the WCCD, we firmly believe that the time has come to harness standardized, independently verified, local level data to help drive transformational change on key global agreements, while also working with our dedicated network of cities globally to drive local change. The incredible commitment of the WCCD cities that have stepped up to host these hubs will allow for cities, states and provinces, and national governments to gather the kind of data required to move the needle on key issues such as climate change, while also serving to drive infrastructure investment.

The announcement of the Local Data Hubs followed the release of a major report: “WCCD City Data for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals” at the United Nations on July 17th, demonstrating that cities around the world are the true determiners of a sustainable future for the planet. Framed by the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the report is a comprehensive overview of the first 50 cities already armed with globally standardised data and certified by the WCCD under ISO 37120. Through this report, these cities showcase their dedication to sustainability, and moreover the economic and social power of local governments as agents of change.
His Excellency Abdullah Al Shaibani (Centre Right): The announcement is a reflection of Dubai’s global leadership efforts in strengthening the role of cities.

Pictured Centre Left: H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai - Pictured far right: Senator Art Eggleton, Chair, WCCD Global City Leaders Advisory Board.

 The host cities of the Local Data Hubs are already speaking to their local and global importance. His Excellency Abdulla Abdul Rahman Al Shaibani - Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai, spoke to the importance of the initiative following the 2017 WCCD Global Cities Summit, that Dubai hosted in March 2017. “In March, Dubai hosted the Global Cities Summit in partnership with the WCCD, and with the participation of a number of global and regional leaders and experts, from over 50 cities across five different continents, culminating in the adoption of the 'Dubai Declaration 2017', which established a framework for city data as the universal language driving forward three critically important agendas for 2030, including a commitment to inclusive cities, smart nations and a sustainable planet." The Secretary General underlined the importance of the establishment of the WCCD-Dubai-Local Data Hub in supporting the UAE’s commitments to achieve the Sustainable Development Agenda by 2030.

Speaking at the United Nations, Carlos Colombo, Undersecretary of Planning for the City of Buenos Aires: “Establishing the Buenos Aires – WCCD Local Data Hub will help the City to share the expertise we have developed with all the municipalities in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area, enabling us to work together on planning at the metropolitan level. Through WCCD ISO 37120 data we can also understand and demonstrate how Buenos Aires is supporting progress towards the SDGs.”

Also speaking at the Local2030 event, Gary Dyke, Chief Administrative Officer of the City of Cambridge, Canada added: “"We are proud to be a champion for the use of standardized metrics to track performance and find shared solutions. For the City of Cambridge, hosting a WCCD Local Data Hub is an opportunity to learn from what other cities are doing while highlighting our own experiences. Cambridge is a key partner in Ontario’s “Innovation Corridor”, and the establishment of a hub will also buoy sustainability and economic diversification in our region. The more we grow internally by reaching out beyond our borders, the stronger we get. But the stronger  we get, the cooperation with our neighboring cities is key — in Ontario and further afield — and I think that’s what the hub will generate.”


For more information on the WCCD, ISO 37120 certification, please visit www.dataforcities.org or Contact Us.


For more information, please contact:
+14169703544

Thursday, 21 July 2016

HRH The Prince of Wales and WCCD President & CEO Patricia McCarney on Measure What Matters

   

On Tuesday, July 12th, WCCD President and CEO Dr. Patricia McCarney was invited by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to speak at the Measure What Matters meeting in London, UK. 


The Prince, well-known for his concern for the environment and sustainability, invited Dr. McCarney to discuss the world’s progress in achieving the recently adopted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 



"Only one of the 17 SDGs – goal 11 – is directly related to cities,” Dr. McCarney stated, “but most of the SDG’s involve cities, because the majority of the world’s population lives in urban areas. City metrics are really at the core of success for countries reporting on the SDGs. All of the other goals – whether on air quality, quality of transport, quality of livability in public spaces, energy goals – are very much driven by cities, so we have mapped all 17 goals – not just goal 11.”



Since the publication of the SDGs in 2015, the World Council on City Data has been promoting ISO 37120 as a tool for SDG measurement, as reported by the Huffington Post and Cities Today.



In addition to the Prince’s invitation to speak at the forum, Dr. McCarney was invited to sit on the international advisory board for Measure What Matters as one of a select group of leaders from international agencies, global corporations and think tanks.

Tuesday, 8 September 2015

Dr. Patricia McCarney speaks to Cities Today about the new urban SDG

   




Cities Today US editor, Tom Teodorczuk spoke with Dr. Patricia McCarney - WCCD President & CEO and Director of the Global Cities Institute (GCI) at the University of Toronto - about the UN’s watershed moment for cities and her efforts to help cities make clearer sense of their present and transform their future.