The forum featured a special session dedicated to the “Cities of Tomorrow” project, showcasing its outcomes related to the city of Nablus. The session highlighted the crucial partnership between An-Najah National University, its scientific centers, local institutions, and international universities in driving the project’s success and sustainability. The session was inaugurated by Dr. Sami Hajjawi, Palestinian Minister of Local Government, who emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts at local and international levels in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs).

The forum also included an exhibition featuring the “Cities of Tomorrow” project, which was jointly presented by University College London (UCL) and the University of Edinburgh. The exhibition showcased a variety of materials, including videos, brochures, and printed publications, many of which were prepared by the Nablus team led by An-Najah University. These materials underscored the university’s leading role in the project’s outreach and communication initiatives.

On the sidelines of the forum, Dr. Dabbeek engaged with representatives from leading organizations specializing in post-disaster and post-conflict urban planning. He held discussions with Turkish, international, and UN entities, resulting in an agreement to form a working group to exchange expertise and explore strategies for reconstructing Gaza. UCL, a key partner in the “Cities of Tomorrow” project, announced an internal grant titled “Envisioning a Safe, Inclusive Gaza: Embedding Risk and Climate Adaptation into Post-Conflict Reconstruction.” This grant aims to foster knowledge-sharing and collaborative efforts in rebuilding Gaza.

Additionally, Dr. Dabbeek met with Professor Mark Pelling, Director of the “Cities of Tomorrow” project and Head of the Disaster Risk Reduction Center at UCL. Professor Pelling proposed advancing scientific collaboration between UCL and An-Najah University in areas such as disaster risk reduction, urban planning, climate change adaptation, and sustainability. The partnership seeks to develop joint projects and establish a student exchange program, further enhancing academic and research ties between the two institutions.

The World Urban Forum, organized biennially by the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), serves as a global platform for promoting sustainable urban development. This year’s forum, which welcomed participants from 172 countries, addressed pressing issues related to urban sustainability, offering a unique opportunity for knowledge exchange and collaboration to create inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities worldwide.

Dr. Dabbeek’s active participation highlights An-Najah University’s commitment to global partnerships and leadership in sustainable urban planning, further solidifying its role in advancing international development goals through innovation, research, and collaboration.