Amman, Oct.28 (Petra) – The Fair and Sustainable Cities Conference kicked off in Amman on Tuesday, under the theme: "Our Cities Beyond." The event is organized by Friedrich Ebert Foundation's Regional Center for Energy and Climate Justice for the Middle East and North Africa.

The three-day conference brings together experts and representatives from civil society, governments, and academic institutions from across the region.

The discussions focus on disaster recovery, smart cities, and the voices of youth in reshaping the future of cities, which come amid Amman's efforts to establish itself as a "regional hub for dialogue on sustainable limate justice and urban transformation." Talking at the opening ceremony, Dina Kasbi, Program Director at the Center, said the conference represents an "important" platform for reflection to share regional expertise and formulate collective visions for post-crisis fair and sustainable cities.

Kasbinoted the conference establishes a "new" phase of urban thinking in the region and strengthens the link between climate justice and reconstruction, which makes cities "more resilient and equitable for both people and the environment." The first day featured a variety of activities, starting with the "Jane Jacobs in Your Community - Second Edition" celebration honoring women's and community initiatives from Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, and Morocco, who excelled in the local development, community engagement, and sustainability fields.

Meanwhile, the "Our Cities in Transition" session addressed the social, environmental, and economic transformations facing Arab cities in facing climate change, with the participation of experts from Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt.

In the evening session, participants in the "Barrier-Free Mobility" track called for developing fair and sustainable transport systems that tackle needs of various segments of society and integrate clean technology into the public transport sector.

//Petra// AG