Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
Cities around the world have a tremendous opportunity to enhance their urban resilience by leveraging standardized, reliable data. Such data is crucial for evidence-based, needs-driven planning and for attracting investment in disaster risk reduction and sustainable development. By utilizing consistent and verifiable data, cities can present compelling cases to investors, securing the necessary funding for critical infrastructure projects. This approach not only improves immediate disaster preparedness but also supports long-term urban planning and sustainability efforts.
Recognizing this potential, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and World Council on City Data (WCCD) jointly hosted workshops in Vaughan, Canada, and Ajman, United Arab Emirates. The central theme, “Data for Resilient Cities,” emphasized the importance of standardized, third-party verified city data in fostering collaboration between local governments and the financial sector. This data is essential for strategic planning and mitigating risks through resilient infrastructure investments.
The workshops, held on 24-25 April in Vaughan welcomed cities primarily from the Americas and Europe—including Toronto, Vaughan, Mississauga, the Regional Municipality of York (Canada), Reykjavik (Iceland), Montevideo (Uruguay), Buenos Aires (Argentina), and Montego Bay (Jamaica)— while the Ajman session on 6-7 May convened participants from Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, including Al Madinah (Saudi Arabia), Makati City (Philippines), Windhoek (Namibia), Kisumu (Kenya), Minna (Nigeria), Banjul (The Gambia), Ajman (UAE), and Doha (Qatar). These cities engaged in fruitful exchanges of experience on the use of data, ISO certification, and urban resilience strategies and planning—demonstrating the power of peer learning and global cooperation in advancing resilient urban development.
Participants were introduced to ISO 37123—Indicators for Resilient Cities and ISO 37125—Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) for Cities. These standards provide a robust framework for cities to align their resilience planning with private sector financing, ensuring informed investment decisions based on reliable ESG metrics.
Hosted by Vaughan and Ajman—the world first ISO37123 certified cities, the workshops focused on two main areas: strategic planning and resilience data, and financing resilient infrastructure. The session highlighted the importance of data in the implementation of ISO 37123, emphasizing the role of certified resilience data in risk reduction planning, disaster recovery, and urban governance. Peer-to-peer exchanges allowed cities to share lessons learned and discuss resilience challenges and solutions. Additionally, the introduction of ISO 37125 explored how ESG metrics can unlock capital markets. Sustainable finance leaders engaged in discussions on the role of certified city data in supporting municipal bonds, green bonds, and other sustainable investment vehicles.
Participants left the workshops with a comprehensive understanding of how ISO-certified data can be applied to strengthen disaster risk reduction and capital planning, and how data insights help align local resilience goals with global finance frameworks.
These workshops were part of the UN-led Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) initiative and support the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and UN Sustainable Development Goals. They mark pivotal moments where cities and the financial sector unite around standardized, verified data to drive resilient investment.
“We are bringing cities and banks into the same room to address two critical challenges—cities need funding, and investors need data. These workshops equip both with the tools to take meaningful, collaborative action.”
– Dr. Patricia McCarney, President and CEO of WCCD
“With disasters accelerating and urban services under increasing pressure, these workshops mark pivotal moments—where cities and the financial sector unite around standardized, verified data to drive resilient investment.”
– Sanjaya Bhatia, Head of Global Education and Training Institute, UNDRR
The success of the Vaughan and Ajman workshops sets the stage for future sessions aimed at empowering cities to not just recover but lead in resilience planning and sustainable development.
MCR2030 is a United Nations-led global partnership that has mobilized more than 1,800 local governments from 93 countries and territories, representing 597 million people, committed to strengthening their disaster and climate resilience. The workshops highlighted the role of MCR2030 Core Partners —UNDRR and WCCD—in leveraging the technical expertise and global networks of both organizations to guide cities in applying standardized data for risk-informed planning, investment, and governance. The events also underscored the importance of city-to-city learning and exchange in fostering collaboration and network among cities on disaster risk reduction and climate resilience.