Friday, 14 July 2023

Makati City Receives WCCD ISO 37123 - Resilient Cities Certification

   

July 14, 2023

Makati City, Philippines 

In a momentous virtual ceremony, Mayor Abby Binay proudly accepted the World Council on City Data (WCCD) ISO 37123 Early Adopter Resilient City Certification on behalf of Makati City. Makati joins the ranks of one of the first cities globally to achieve this esteemed certification under the new ISO Standard, ISO 37123 Sustainable Cities and Communities – Indicators for Resilient Cities.
The WCCD certification recognizes Makati City's unwavering commitment to building a resilient and sustainable urban environment. Through comprehensive data-driven planning and implementation, the city has demonstrated its capacity to effectively address the challenges posed by rapid urbanization, climate change, and other complex urban issues.
With this certification, Makati City showcases its dedication to adopting best practices and innovative strategies that promote urban resilience and enhance the quality of life for its residents. The ISO 37123 Standard sets forth a rigorous framework for measuring and assessing a city's resilience across various indicators, including governance, economy, environment, and social well-being.

Mayor Abby Binay expressed her gratitude for the recognition and emphasized the importance of resilience in building a better future for the city. She highlighted the collaborative efforts of the local government, community stakeholders, and various sectors in achieving this milestone.

Dr. Patricia McCarney, CEO of the World Council on City Data, congratulated Makati City on this significant achievement, remarking, "We extend our warmest congratulations to Makati City and Mayor Binay for being awarded the WCCD ISO 37123 Early Adopters Certification. This recognition reaffirms Makati City's commitment to urban resilience and data-driven decision-making. Globally, Makati City has already demonstrated its dedication to resilience building, and this certification further underscores their commitment in this critical area. We look forward to Makati’s continued certification and partnership for many years."

This certification serves as a testament to Makati City's continuous pursuit of excellence and its proactive approach to sustainable urban development. By adhering to global standards and adopting resilient practices, Makati aims to create a city that can effectively respond to shocks and stresses while ensuring the well-being and prosperity of its residents.



Read more: Makati receives WCCD resilient city certification (metronewscentral.net)


For more information, please contact: 
 
Dr. Patricia McCarney
President & CEO
World Council on City Data

Tuesday, 11 July 2023

TOWN OF CALEDON AWARDED PLATINUM-LEVEL CERTIFICATIONN FROM THE WORLD COUNCIL ON CITY DATA

   


July 11, 2023

Caledon, Ontario, Canada

Today, the Town of Caledon received Platinum level certification from the World Council on City Data (WCCD) for the implementation of ISO 37120 in 2022.

Caledon is now among a global network of over 100 cities using data to drive innovation in service delivery. Standardized data enables municipalities, of any size, to measure and compare progress to other locations near and far. Joining the WCCD supports Caledon by creating opportunities for global benchmarking which aid in strategic planning in social, economic and environmental areas.

“Platinum-level certification from the World Council on City Data is a prestigious recognition and speaks to Caledon’s commitment to being a great place to live, work and play,” said Mayor Annette Groves. “This certification means we can make data-driven decisions and measure our progress against global benchmarks.”

ISO 37120 is the first international standard for municipal data collection and the Platinum-level certification is the highest certification the WCCD issues. The Town of Caledon implemented ISO 37120 by collecting municipal data in accordance with the WCCD’s standard of practice. This recognition means that Caledon’s data, specific to sustainability and quality of life benchmarks, is of the highest quality.

“I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to the Town of Caledon for their remarkable achievement in receiving Platinum WCCD ISO 37120 certification,” said Dr. Patricia McCarney, President and CEO of the WCCD. “This well-deserved recognition highlights the town's exceptional commitment to delivering data of the highest quality. The certification not only acknowledges the Town of Caledon's exceptional data reporting but also underscores their dedication to transparency, inclusivity, sustainability, and exceptional service delivery for residents.”

The WCCD was founded in 2014 and helps communities of all sizes worldwide embrace standardized, independently verified and globally comparable city data to become more sustainable, resilient, prosperous, inclusive and smart.

Read Press Release from Town of Caledon here: https://www.caledon.ca/en/news/town-of-caledon-awarded-platinum-level-certification-from-world-council-on-city-data.aspx

For more information, please contact: 
 
Dr. Patricia McCarney
President & CEO
World Council on City Data

Thursday, 29 June 2023

Wednesday, 28 June 2023

With support of WCCD and UNDRR Pilot Project, data-driven cities chart path toward resilient future

   

 

WCCD - UNDRR Webinar for Data-Driven Resilience

June 28, 2023

Toronto, Canada

As part of their joint Pilot Project, the World Council on City Data (WCCD) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) are pleased to announce the WCCD ISO 37123 certification of five exceptional cities worldwide: Ajman (United Arab Emirates), Doral (United States), Makati City (Philippines), Reykjavik (Iceland), and Vaughan (Canada). This significant milestone, jointly recognized by the WCCD and UNDRR, empowers cities to embrace urban resilience and sets a compelling precedent for sustainable urban development globally.

These five cities have demonstrated their commitment to disaster risk reduction and resilience-building by not only obtaining the WCCD ISO 37123 certification but also by joining the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction's initiative Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030). As a result of WCCD ISO 37123 certification, the cities enter MCR2030 at the highest, C level. Through this partnership, they will actively contribute to the promotion of resilience-building practices and advance efforts to reduce disaster risk. They are now equipped with high-calibre data to inform Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Roadmaps for the future safety of their citizens

In a collaborative effort to share knowledge and best practices, the WCCD and UNDRR organized a series of three noteworthy webinars. These webinars brought together city staff and resilience experts from around the globe with the five participating cities, engaging in productive discussions on governing structures surrounding risk and building data-driven insights for effective strategies to build more resilient cities.

The webinars covered a broad range of topics vital to urban resilience, including profiling resilience in each participating city, key performance indicators for data-driven decision-making, exchanging knowledge on resilience governance structures designed to manage risk reduction, and discussing how data informs the creation of resilience roadmaps for the future. Participants had the opportunity to learn from the experiences of Ajman, Doral, Makati City, Reykjavik, and Vaughan, as these cities shared their success stories and demonstrated how the ISO 37123 certification has accelerated their journey towards resilience and disaster risk reduction. The webinars also celebrated the inclusion of these cities in the esteemed UNDRR MCR2030 Initiative, highlighting the importance of international peer-to-peer collaboration in addressing disaster risk and fostering sustainable urban development.

Dr. Patricia McCarney, President and CEO of the WCCD, and Ms. Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of UNDRR, jointly expressed their enthusiasm for the achievements of the five cities and the impact of the UNDRR-WCCD Pilot. They stated, "We extend our sincere congratulations to Ajman, Doral, Makati City, Reykjavik, and Vaughan for their strong leadership in data-driven strategy for more resilient futures. The WCCD ISO 37123 certification and their participation in the UNDRR MCR2030 Initiative represent remarkable milestones in reducing risk and building more resilient cities”.

With WCCD ISO 37123 certification and participation in the UNDRR MCR2030 Initiative, these cities have solidified their position as global leaders in disaster risk reduction, resilience, and data-driven decision-making. The WCCD and UNDRR remain dedicated to supporting cities in their resilience journeys and will continue to work closely together to foster global collaboration and knowledge exchange. As cites confront evolving challenges, the WCCD and UNDRR's joint efforts to promote the ISO 37123 standard and build data for more resilient urban communities will remain resolute.

Wednesday, 7 June 2023

Royal Commission for AlUla Joins A Globe-Spanning Network of Cities Committed to Sharing, Analysing, and Utilising Data to Deliver Transformative Positive Change for Residents and Visitors

   


June 07, 2023

AlUla, Saudi Arabia

The Royal Commission for AlUla’s (RCU) use of comprehensively collected and expertly curated data to empower the ongoing sustainable development of AlUla and improve people’s quality of life through smart services and more have been recognized by the World Council of City Data (WCCD).

WCCD’s recognition of RCU for implementing ISO 37120 –a key standard for successful urban and social development through the practical use of data –means AlUla is now an integral part of WCCD’s globe-spanning network of more than 100 data-driven partner cities that work closely to share up-to-date information. 

The first international standard for city data and the gold level of certification, ISO 37120 establishes, defines, and steers the performance of city services and their impact on the quality of life of residents and visitors. Its scope considers key sectors and services including energy, education, transport, recreation, and urban planning among others.

Drawn from a variety of strategic sources and as a result of far-reaching policies on the ground, the data collected as part of the ISO 37120 Standard allows cities to make effective and transformative decisions that greatly aid infrastructure and social development on a large scale. A dashboard of unified data acts as a single source of truth for AlUla’s transformative development by RCU and alongside key partners.

WCCD officials attended a ceremony at the iconic Maraya venue in AlUla on 7 June to congratulate RCU on its long-term strategic decision to embed a culture of data use and analysis into its comprehensive regeneration plan for AlUla. 

Eng. Amr Almadani, CEO of RCU, said: “As part of our commitment to sustainable and responsible development, and to sharing our cultural legacy with the world, this certification and partnership with the WCCD are critical to RCU’s plans to move forward with the development of AlUla and to continuously improve the quality of life for everyone who comes here to live, work, or visit. A commitment to high-quality data underpins our sustainability and resiliency policies. The WCCD’s high caliber independently verified, and globally standardized data is an important opportunity to benchmark our progress, learn from other cities across Saudi Arabia and globally, and share AlUla’s lessons with the world.”

Dr. Patricia McCarney, WCCD President and CEO, said: “AlUla stands out in Saudi Arabia and globally for its commitment to providing a sustainable, resilient, smart, and prosperous future for residents and visitors alike. I am pleased to congratulate RCU and the impressive AlUla team. I am delighted to be able to extend the WCCD’s congratulations in person and visit AlUla, a city that is fast becoming one of the world’s premier destinations for nature, culture, and heritage.”

ISO 37120 includes 104 fully numeric indicators across 19 themes. It measures city services and quality of life, underpinned by standardized definitions and methodologies. The WCCD was founded in 2014 and helps communities of all sizes worldwide to report standardized, independently verified, and globally comparable city data.

For more information, please contact: 
 
Dr. Patricia McCarney
President & CEO
World Council on City Data

Monday, 5 June 2023

Ajman receives ISO 37120, ISO 37122, and ISO 37123 "triple" certification from the World Council on City Data

   
June 05, 2023
Ajman, United Arab Emirates

Edited into English and shortened--see original in links below.

On behalf of His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of the Executive Council, Sheikh Humaid bin Ammar Al Nuaimi received WCCD’s ISO 37120 (City Services and Quality of Life), ISO 37122 (Smart Cities), and ISO 37123 (Resilient Cities) certifications from Dr. Patricia McCarney, the WCCD President and CEO. A number of the Emirate’s Government Directors and Senior Officials were also in attendance.

His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi said, "We are delighted and proud of Ajman's significant milestone achievement, which adds to its record of accomplishments as the first Emirate in the United Arab Emirates, the first in the Middle East, and the seventh globally to receive three ISO certifications. This achievement reflects the diligent and continuous efforts made by the Emirate and its partners towards the well-being of its citizens and the happiness of its entire society. It highlights our keenness to promote the Emirate and serve the interests of its community."

His Highness added that developing government services according to the highest and latest standards, improving the quality of life of residents in the Emirate, and ensuring their happiness, is at the top of their priorities. Today, with this global recognition, he announce[d] the continuation of Ajman's comprehensive development plans that contribute to sustainably [and] achieving the indicators of the Emirate's attractiveness, while preserving Ajman as a flexible and smart global city with leading services and modern infrastructure.

Sheikh Humaid Bin Ammar Al Nuaimi praised the cooperation of the relevant entities in this achievement, and the role of Ajman Statistics Center in supporting decision-makers by providing various international statistics as indicators of Ajman's attractiveness, enhancing knowledge exchange and expertise, and building strategic partnerships in the field of statistics and indicator measurement. This contributed to achieving three ISO certifications, which is considered one of the most globally recognized certifications.

Dr. Hajar Al-Hubaishi, Executive Director of the Ajman Statistics Center, provided a detailed explanation of the Emirate's journey in measuring indicators within the approved methodology. She also stressed the importance of cooperation between local and federal entities and their role in providing the required key indicators.

Dr. Patricia McCarney echoed the remarks and added: “The WCCD is privileged to work with cities around the world in helping them to harness high calibre, globally standardized and independently verified city data to drive prosperous change, and Ajman stands out in the United Arab Emirates and globally for its commitment to providing a sustainable, resilient, smart and prosperous future for its residents and visitors alike. I am so pleased to congratulate His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Dr. Hajar Saeed Alhubaishi and the impressive team at Ajman Statistic Centre and across the City, on Ajman’s “triple certification” – on the three ISO Standards in the ISO 37120 Series, for Sustainable, Smart and Resilient Cities.  In addition, it is such an honour to support Ajman as part of a global project with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). Ajman is such an important city in the global network of cities participating in Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030). Through the WCCD’s partnership with Ajman Statistic Centre, we look forward to our continued WCCD-Ajman cooperation for many years.”



The event received extensive media coverage in the UAE and across the Region. 

Read more:

عجمان تحصد 3 شهادات عالمية لـ «آيزو المدن» | صحيفة الخليج (alkhaleej.ae)

وكالة أنباء الإمارات - عجمان تحصد 3شهادات عالمية لآيزو المدن (wam.ae)

عجمان تحصد 3شهادات عالمية لآيزو المدن (emarat-news.ae)

عجمان تحصد 3شهادات عالمية لآيزو المدن - أردو بوینت (urdupoint.com)

#عجمان تحصد 3 #شهادات_عالمية لآيزو المدن . نيابة عن سمو الشيخ عمار بن حميد النعيمي ولي عهد عجمان رئيس المجلس التنفيذي، تسلم الشيخ حميد بن عمار النعيمي... | By ‎شبكة رؤية الإمارات الإعلامية‎ | Facebook

عمار النعيمي: تطوير الخدمات وتحسين جودة الحياة أولوية – اخبار الامارات العاجلة (emaratyah.ae)

For more information, please contact: 
 
Dr. Patricia McCarney
President & CEO
World Council on City Data


 

Friday, 14 April 2023

Standards Council of Canada & World Council on City Data Collaborate on a New ISO Standard Focusing on ESG Indicators for Cities

   

 April 14, 2023

Toronto, Ontario

On a global scale, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles are at the core of the discussion on responsible investment. One of the significant stakeholders in ESG-driven investments across Canada and globally are cities. Municipal leaders nationwide (and globally) recognize the importance of high-calibre data to support and validate the ESG-focused commitments made through their debenture programs with their investors. Similarly, the investment community is searching for standardized criteria and trusted measurement platforms to make investment decisions and monitor the year-over-year impacts of these investments. A new, Canadian-led ISO standard – ISO 37125: Environmental, Social and Governance Indicators for Cities – is emerging as a solution to this challenge.

"From our conversations with city leaders, it has become clear that a standardized set of ESG-focussed key performance indicators (KPIs) are needed to meet the demand by cities to embrace ESG-focussed financial instruments. Specifically, these city leaders require high-calibre KPIs to respond to ESG compliance criteria set by institutional investors," states World Council on City Data (WCCD) President and CEO Dr. Patricia McCarney. "From experience in leading the design of the ISO 37120 Series, ISO standardization emerged as a natural tool to overcome that challenge. Through the leadership of partners like SCC and forward-thinking municipalities like the City of Toronto, ISO 37125 will help cities obtain ESG-focused investment as a clear path towards a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient future."

Following the successful collaboration that resulted in the development of the ISO 37120 Series, the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and the WCCD have partnered to contribute to the development of ISO 37125. The results of this months-long consultation process will bolster the ongoing work of the Canadian Mirror Committee of ISO/TC 268, which is leading the development of this standard.

"Standardization offers immense value in helping public and private sectors establish ESG frameworks to build a more sustainable future," says Chantal Guay, CEO of SCC. "We are committed to advancing solutions for ESG-driven investment and are proud of our partnership with WCCD, which under its CEO, Dr. Patricia McCarney, created measurable change on a global scale. Together, we will continue to leverage Canada's leadership to collaborate with additional partners in the private sector and across all levels of government."

Convening discussions with municipal and private sector investment leaders across Canada as part of the WCCD-SCC collaboration, one of the most vocal champions of ISO 37125 is the City of Toronto's Chief Financial Officer, Heather Taylor. "The City of Toronto is committed to a ten-year capital plan which aligns with ESG principles to secure a sustainable and resilient future for Toronto residents, businesses and visitors," states Ms. Taylor. "Our work with the WCCD – and more than eight years of ISO-standardized city data – is an essential part of our annual ESG report and has become a critical benchmark for the City's sustainable debenture program investors. ISO 37125 will be another valuable and informative resource as we work with investors to secure the capital required to fulfill Toronto's commitments towards greater sustainability and resiliency."

In a recent news release, following a ceremony acknowledging the City of Toronto's eight-year collaborative partnership with the WCCD, Toronto has become the first city globally to announce its intent to implement ISO 37125 through its partnership with the WCCD.

About the WCCD

The WCCD was founded in 2014 and helps communities of all sizes worldwide embrace standardized, independently verified and globally comparable city data to become more sustainable, resilient, prosperous, inclusive and smart. ISO 37120, ISO 37122, ISO 37123 and the soon-to-be published ISO 37125, now called the ISO 37120 Series, is a Canadian-led, global innovation and is being implemented in more than forty countries.

About the SCC

Since 1970, the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) has helped make life safer, healthier, more prosperous and sustainable for people, communities and businesses in Canada through the power of standardization. SCC works with a vast network of partners nationally and around the world, acting as Canada's voice on standards and accreditation on the international stage, including as a member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). As the country's leading accreditation organization, SCC creates market confidence at home and abroad by ensuring conformity assessment bodies meet the highest expectations. In all these ways, SCC opens a world of possibilities.

 

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Patricia McCarney

WCCD President & CEO

patricia.mccarney@globalcities.ca