World Urban Forum is a biennial forum organized by UNHABITAT for all cities in the world, where ideas and initiative are shared and networked. Policies are reviewed with the aim of making our Cities safe and prosperous. In earlier previous editions of the WUF, IERD, in the networking events, had presented Ogun state workers housing scheme to the World Urban Forum WUF4 held in Nanjing 2008, while Lagos Mega-city was celebrated in WUF 5 held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2010. In 2012, IERD featured Zamfara state in WUF 6 in Naples Italy. In this year’s event (click here for networking event brochure), WUF7 is celebrating Cross River state’s participatory governance strategies of administration, as the state will feature for 2 hours today between 2pm and 4pm local time in Medellin Colombia. In all, it is expected that about 25,000 participants from all over the world will be in attendance. It is very pertinent to note that the Institute for Environment Research and Development in Collaboration with the UNHABITAT is facilitating the networking event for Nigeria. The discussion will bring in other cities of Bogota, Rio de Janeiro, Medellin and Botswana, while a comparative study of these cities will be considered. We are opening discussions on Participatory Governance as a tool towards attaining Urban Equity and Development. Cities in Nigeria are being considered with core focus on Cross River state of Nigeria. Leading the discussions are Prof Oyebanji Oyeyinka UNHABITAT, Prof Bade Falade, Kyari M Kabir HPM UNhabitat, Abuja. Prof Adedeji Daramola, Caleb University Nigeria, TPLS. Onu President Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (Nigeria) and Arc Andy Gaza. At international level, Dr William Cobbet the CEO of Cities Alliance, funding organisation, will be featuring. Dr Motswaiso, CEO of Botswana Housing Corporation, James Waher from Brazilian Development Bank, Arq Angela Kraus, Coordinator of Macroproyectos from the City of Bogota, Colombia and Prof John Aranyo from Colombia National University, Medellin will also feature in the discussion. We are looking forward to a very robust outing for our beloved Cross River State tonight. We are also very sure that investors and bilateral funding opportunities will be identified.

It is very interesting to note that the WUF 7 will close an hour after the Cross River state presentation. Another Nigerian event at the WUF 7 was the Ondo State Youth Project Presentation and the African Urban Agenda I Strengthening Partnerships for a new African Agenda Project, with Nigeria, making a very prominent exhibition at the event.

Cick here to download the Report of the UN-HABITAT WORLD URBAN FORUM 7.