O U.S. Department of State, ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, Resilient Cities Catalyst, and the Institute of the Americas We are pleased to announce the 24 cities selected to participate in the program. Cities Ahead, a flagship urban sustainability initiative. Launched at the Cities Summit of the Americas, this program is dedicated to helping cities in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and the U.S. create sustainable, inclusive, and resilient futures through project consulting, co-design, and knowledge sharing.

With a significant response of 129 applications for only 24 city slots across the Americas, we are inspired by the broad commitment to urban sustainability, resilience, and inclusion. Cities that were not selected are eligible to participate in the Academy. Cities Ahead to learn about the results and best practices of the 12 city pairs.

“We are thrilled by the high level of interest, which serves as a powerful testament to the importance of our joint efforts to promote equitable and inclusive sustainable urban development,” shared Angie Fyfe, Executive Director of ICLEI USA. “The enthusiasm shown by communities across the country is palpable.” Western Hemisphere "This assures us that our collaborative journey is only just beginning."”

Congratulations to the selected cities and their partners.:

• Ambato, Ecuador + Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Cali, Colombia + Baltimore, Maryland
• Cartagena, Colombia + Denver, Colorado
• Fortaleza, Brazil + Hawaii County, Hawaii
• Freeport, Bahamas + Coral Springs, Florida
• Guatemala City, Guatemala + Dallas, Texas
• Hermosillo, Mexico + Dubuque, Iowa
• Manaus, Brazil + Stockton, California
• Merida, Mexico + Austin, Texas
• Montego Bay, Jamaica + Hoboken, New Jersey
• Renca, Chile + Evanston, Illinois
• Rosario, Argentina + Chattanooga, Tennessee

Over the next two years, participants from the U.S. and LAC will share successes and challenges in their priority areas of interest, including, but not limited to: 

• Extreme heat

• Watershed and Water Resources Management

• Reducing Greenhouse Gases

• Renewable energy

• Accessibility Mobility/Transportation

• Green infrastructure and green spaces for underprivileged communities.

• Circularity and Control of Plastic Pollution

After two years, cities in Latin America and the Caribbean will have action plans for fundable, high-impact projects based on shared insights gained throughout their collaborations with U.S. cities, regional consultants, and the project team.

Cities in the U.S. and Latin America and the Caribbean will also be thematically grouped for efficient collaboration on systemic change approaches. They will share experiences and efforts in these areas, guided by subject matter experts. The current thematic groups are as follows, subject to possible changes after further analysis and findings:

• Implementation of plans at the district or neighborhood level.

• Green infrastructure based on a water corridor with climate adaptation.

• Green land-based infrastructure, prioritizing low-income populations and areas.

The team Cities Ahead We look forward to working closely with the selected cities, continuing to engage with and support all municipalities passionate about building a more sustainable future. For more information, visit [website address]. https://icleiusa.org/cities-forward/.

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About ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability
ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) is the first and largest global network of over 2,500 local and regional governments dedicated to solving the world's toughest sustainability challenges. The global network is active in over 125 countries, focused on influencing sustainability policies and driving local action along five key pathways: low emissions, resilient development, equitable development, people-centered development, nature-based development, and circular development.

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About Resilient Cities Catalyst
Resilient Cities Catalyst RCC is a non-profit organization, founded by members of the 100 Resilient Cities (100RC) leadership team in 2019 to drive catalytic change to help partners address their most pressing challenges. Building on the pioneering legacy of 100RC and partnering with a community of urban resilience actors, RCC is helping cities develop the capacities and partnerships needed to understand, prioritize, and concretely address their chronic risks and stresses as they pursue their strategic goals or recover from a crisis.

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About the Institute of the Americas
O Institute of the Americas (IOA) is a nonpartisan, independent, non-profit organization whose mission is to be a catalyst for promoting economic development and integration, emphasizing the role of the private sector as a means of improving the economic and social well-being of the people of the Americas. Throughout its 40-year history, the IOA has convened events of regional importance in an effort to support our mission of promoting better understanding and thought leadership on critical issues in energy, climate change, and economic development.