Richmond Hill, November 9, 2024 — In a signing ceremony at the UNU-INWEH headquarters in Richmond Hill, Canada, the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), Urban Economy Forum (UEF), and World Urban Pavilion, declared their joint interest in developing “The World Station”—an innovative data analytics platform aimed at tackling global challenges at the intersection of water, environment, and health in urban systems.
The joint declaration issued by the signing parties signifies a strong commitment from all parties to advance urban sustainability and crisis response through collaborative efforts and pooling their unique strengths and resources to address the complex challenges faced by urban areas worldwide. Through the establishment of World Station, the parties aim to facilitate informed decision-making, drive innovation, and enhance resilience in urban communities confronting climate and environmental crises.
Key figures representing the partnering organizations at the signing ceremony included Tshilidzi Marwala, UNU Rector and the United Nations Under-Secretary-General, Reza Pourvaziry, Chair of the UEF, Kaveh Madani, Director of UNU-INWEH, and Eduardo López Moreno, Co-Director of the World Urban Pavilion (who attended the signing ceremony virtually). The signing parties expressed their vision for World Station as a dynamic resource that can empower cities and policymakers with real-time data to improve urban water management, public health, and environmental resilience.
The initiative was welcomed by several Canadian elected officials, who attended the signing ceremony, including MP Ali Ehsassi, MP Majid Jowhari, MPP Daisy Wai, and Mayor David West, underlining Canada’s commitment to supporting collaborative global efforts for sustainable urban development and climate resilience.
The World Station will function as a global data platform that monitors the conditions of water resources, natural built environments, public health, and climate in complex urban systems. It aims to provide a timely and accurate reporting tool for UN bodies, local, regional, and national governments, and international stakeholders, offering essential insights for disaster mitigation, health management, and climate adaptation. This initiative can strengthen the collaboration between UNU and UEF while utilizing the outreach and urban expertise of the WUP, a joint initiative of the UN-Habitat, Government of Canada, and UEF that enhances critical knowledge sharing on urban issues globally.
