The creation of a global Arid Cities Network (ACN) garnered strong support at the Earthna Summit 2025, highlighting the need for collaborative solutions and a platform to share knowledge among urban centres facing the challenges of arid environments. A concluding session at the summit, titled 'The Case for an Arid Cities Network,' underscored the proposed network’s aim to foster resilience and empower cities to thrive amidst increasing water scarcity, extreme heat, and limited resources. Dr David Simon, professor of Development Geography at Royal Holloway, University of London, presented early findings from an upcoming research report on the ACN, including a challenges and needs assessment conducted in six pilot cities, including Doha and Oman. He said the research identified converging pressures around water scarcity, heat extremes, urban livability, and fragmented governance as common obstacles. While the study found that many cities are already implementing context-specific solutions, often inspired by traditional knowledge, Dr Simon said significant gaps remain in the integration and scaling of these initiatives. He noted that a key takeaway from the research was the urgent need for peer-to-peer learning and a centralised platform for sharing best practices. Dr Simon outlined potential short-term objectives and activities for the ACN, such as supporting arid cities in their transformation towards sustainability and resilience, facilitating the sharing of experiences and expertise, prioritising needs, and developing and testing appropriate solutions. The network, he added, also aims to use its convening power to champion the challenges and solutions for hot and arid cities on a global scale. For medium- to long-term aims, he cited the need to develop a global knowledge centre and depository, provide policy advice and advocacy, serve as a hub for the exchange of innovation and expertise, build partnerships, and contribute to existing global discussions. The panel discussion following Dr Simon’s presentation further strengthened support for the ACN. Ibrahim Thiaw, undersecretary general and executive secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, pointed out that the network was “definitely a good idea.” He stressed the importance of establishing a specific platform for knowledge exchange, highlighting the need to address a number of issues within the context of arid environments. Msheireb Properties CEO Eng Ali al-Kuwari echoed this view, emphasising the value of continuous dialogue and knowledge-sharing. Lima mayor Rafael Lopez Aliaga suggested creating a specific chapter dedicated to arid cities within a larger existing organisation, arguing that it is a critical issue affecting not only arid cities but also cities facing water scarcity in general. Terri Wills, Director at the Climate, Children's Investment Fund Foundation, underscored the potential benefits of the network, particularly for secondary and smaller cities facing current and future challenges.

Joey Aguilar
Joey Aguilar has been a journalist since 2013 at Gulf Times, reporting on events related to Qatar. He was earlier a journalist for eight years in the Philippines. He became one of the 2015 United Nations Foundation Global Goals Press Fellows. He has also attended a number of journalism seminars in the Philippines.
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