UNECE official: New project proposal prepared for SPECA Fund

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) have jointly prepared a new project proposal for the SPECA Fund, Dmitry Maryasin, Deputy Executive Secretary of UNECE, stated during an event held within the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Report informs

Maryasin highlighted that the project aims to support the development of sustainable and smart cities in Central Asia. One of SPECA's main priorities is the development of connectivity links between Asia and Europe through transport and trade: "Without sustainable urban centers, it is impossible to ensure the sustainability of these connections."

He added that cities in Central Asia and the South Caucasus face similar challenges: "Housing system pressures, outdated infrastructure, climate risks, energy inefficiency, and air quality issues are among the main challenges. Modernizing urban governance has become a priority for the resilience of countries in the region. Without active participation of cities, it is impossible to seriously discuss the future of the SPECA region and regional cooperation."