Urban Finance and Stakeholder Participation: A Legal Perspective on Implementing the New Urban Agenda

International Advisors, as an active advisory entity within civil society concerned with the governance of sustainable development partnerships, received an invitation to participate in the first consultations of the New Urban Agenda. The invitation was extended by the Permanent Missions of the Republics of Poland and Malawi to the United Nations, to engage in the high-level meeting that held on March 27, 2026 dedicated to the midterm review of the implementation of the New Urban Agenda , within the broader international efforts aimed at strengthening dialogue and monitoring progress in this domain.

Within the context of the growing international discourse on sustainable urban planning, International Advisors, represented by Advisor Khalaf Bandar, participated in the first consultation of the New Urban Agenda, which brought together more than 220 stakeholders from across the globe. This participation forms part of ongoing international efforts to advance sustainable urban development and to formulate more inclusive and effective policies grounded in solid and robust legal frameworks.

From a legal and institutional perspective, Advisor Khalaf Bandar emphasized during his intervention that addressing the urban finance gap cannot be undertaken in isolation from the establishment of clear and effective governance mechanisms for stakeholder participation at both national and municipal levels.

He further noted that achieving the principle of “leaving no one behind,” as articulated in United Nations General Assembly Resolution 70/1 (September 2015), requires a reassessment of the relationship between urban finance and sustainable partnerships on more integrated and equitable foundations.

Accordingly, progress in the implementation of the New Urban Agenda remains contingent upon the capacity of legal and institutional systems to achieve this integration, thereby ensuring cities that are more sustainable, equitable, and efficient in resource management.

This participation also constitutes a continuation of the sustained engagement of Lawyer Khalaf Bandar within the United Nations framework since 2024, reflecting his ongoing commitment to contributing to international discussions related to the sustainability of human civilization, the advancement of sustainable development, and public policy. It further underscores the critical role of legal frameworks in translating international commitments into tangible, on-the-ground projects, and in strengthening regulatory structures capable of responding to evolving challenges at both local and global levels.