Teresina, the capital of Piauí, hosted the 2nd National-Local Dialogue of UrbanShift on June 10th and 11th. This event brought together public managers, specialists, and representatives from national and international organizations to discuss integrated metropolitan governance solutions. The focus was on three strategic regions of the country: the Metropolitan Region of Belém, the Metropolitan Region of Florianópolis, and the Integrated Development Region of Greater Teresina. The goal was to accelerate the transition of these regions to a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive urban model.
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability is responsible for organizing the Dialogues in all nine countries of the project and is one of the partner organizations of the UrbanShift program, implemented in Brazil by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in partnership with the World Resources Institute (WRI) and with financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
During two days of activities at SESC Cajuína, the cities participating in the project had the opportunity to engage in dialogue with representatives from the Ministries of Environment and Climate Change, Cities, Science, Technology and Innovation, as well as their respective state leaders. Finally, the event also provided interactive sessions with national experts. (National Forum of Metropolitan Entities, Itaquaquecetuba, ABC Intermunicipal Consortium and Paraná Metropolitan Affairs Agency) and international (Aburrá Valley Metropolitan Area and Barcelona Metropolitan Area).
This initiative is part of the GEF-7 CITinova II project, which aims to promote integrated planning and innovative investments in sustainable technologies, focusing on climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and economic development.
The 2nd National-Local Dialogue represented progress in strengthening the institutional capacities of subnational governments, especially regarding multi-level coordination in metropolitan regions. The proposed governance model seeks to overcome administrative fragmentation and promote joint solutions to complex urban challenges, such as mobility, housing, waste management, and adaptation to climate change.
“This dialogue represents a valuable opportunity to promote coordination between different levels of government around public policies and the strengthening of institutional capacities necessary for consolidating metropolitan management. By integrating socio-environmental agendas into this process, we significantly expand the potential impact of actions, especially when conducted synergistically. This is a decisive step towards more integrated, inclusive, and environmentally responsible cities.” – Highlights Bianca Cantoni, Coordinator of Institutional Relations and Advocacy at ICLEI South America.
As a follow-up, ICLEI will monitor and continue to support the UrbanShift project with regular meetings to keep stakeholders engaged through a multi-level governance roadmap. This reinforces its commitment to enhancing the technical and institutional capacities of subnational governments, expanding the conditions for integrated, resilient urban planning aligned with global sustainability agendas.
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability is the world's largest intergovernmental organization for sustainable development, working with more than 2,500 local and regional governments. ICLEI actively supports local governments in promoting sustainable actions, further enhancing global sustainability efforts. Active in more than 130 countries, the organization influences sustainability policies for zero-carbon, nature-based, equitable, resilient, and circular development. Fernanda Gouveia Fonseca – Communications Analyst, ICLEI South America – [email protected]
UrbanShift is based on the lessons and experiences of the GEF's Integrated Approach to Sustainable Cities Pilot Program. The project is present in more than 20 cities in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, bringing together local and global stakeholders to work towards a zero-carbon urban future. In Brazil, the project is being implemented in three metropolitan regions: the Metropolitan Regions of Belém (in the Amazon region), Florianópolis (in the south of the country and the Atlantic Forest biome), and the Greater Integrated Development Region of Teresina (RIDE) (at the confluence of the Cerrado and Caatinga biomes). Bruno Incau – UrbanShift Regional Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean, World Resources Institute
The GEF-7 CITinova II Project – “Promoting Integrated Metropolitan Planning and Innovative Investments in Urban Technologies in Brazil” is an initiative funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and led by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), with implementation by UNEP Brazil and FUNBIO, and support from the Ministries of Cities and Environment and Climate Change. The project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve biodiversity, and generate socioeconomic benefits through integrated sustainable urban planning actions in the metropolitan regions of Belém, Florianópolis, and Greater Teresina.
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