The Third Arab Land Conference took place in Rabat, Morocco from 18 to 20 February 2025, and brought together local governments, policymakers, urban planners, researchers, and civil society organizations to tackle pressing land governance challenges through innovative, sustainable, and inclusive practices.
During the “Land-Based Financing Solutions” session, chaired by Ahmed M. Rezk, UN-Habitat Egypt’s Country Director, and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) City Advisor Shaden Al Galaly from the GCoM-Gap Fund Partnership presented and emphasized that “effective municipal land management is a powerful lever for unlocking sustainable urban finance.” Her remarks, supported by insights from experts Abdelaliu Taouss from GOPA, Othmane Fahime from GIZ Morocco, and Nazir Ramadan from Al Ain University and Luay Ahmed from Beijing Jiaotong University, highlighted key strategies such as leveraging land value capture to finance infrastructure, utilizing Public-Private Financing (PPFs) and other mechanisms to access land development financing, and addressing regulatory challenges. Stakeholders and governors from Egypt, Iraq, and Kurdistan described the Gap Fund as a “golden opportunity” to provide much-needed early-stage technical assistance.
The GCoM-Gap Fund Partnership engaged a broad audience including local government representatives and governors from Egypt’s cities Qena and Damietta, both of whom have been invited to participate in Climate Finance and Project Preparation training scheduled for mid-April in Luxor, Egypt. Additionally, stakeholders from Iraq and Kurdistan expressed strong interest in refining project ideas and proposals in close collaboration with the Partnership. This high level of engagement underscores the increasing recognition of early stage technical assistance as a vital tool for driving sustainable urban growth and enhancing climate resilience.
The conference also reinforced key partnerships with organizations such as UN-Habitat Morocco, including a pivotal meeting to advance a capacity-building program for Moroccan cities. Additionally, a site visit was conducted with the Rabat team to gain deeper insights into the local context.
Looking ahead, the GCoM-Gap Fund Partnership will:
- Refine project ideas: Work closely with city administrations, the UN System, and national authorities to refine project ideas and proposals to submit to the Gap Fund.
- Capacity building: Organize specialized workshops, starting with a training event in Luxor, Egypt, aimed at training local government teams on utilizing PPFs, accessing climate finance, and crafting effective Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for funding proposals to the Gap Fund.
- Dedicated support for Moroccan cities: Collaborate with UN organizations to develop a dedicated program that can help Moroccan cities secure climate financing.
These concrete actions will strengthen local capacities, foster innovative project development, and promote sustainable, climate-resilient urban growth across the region.