BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:unctad.org BEGIN:VEVENT UID:6ad6b89b645fa DTSTART:20261201T090000Z SEQUENCE:0 TRANSP:OPAQUE DTEND:20261201T100000Z LOCATION:Riyadh\, Saudi Arabia SUMMARY:Global Supply Chain Forum 2026 session: Future-ready ports\, part I I – investment and port-city relationships CLASS:PUBLIC DESCRIPTION:Ports play a central role in facilitating trade\, supporting ec onomic activity\, and connecting countries to global markets. Their abilit y to grow\, adapt\, and remain competitive depends on sustained investment in infrastructure and development.Ports also play an important role in sh aping the cities around them. By generating employment\, trade\, and econo mic opportunities\, ports can attract people\, businesses\, and investment \, contributing to the growth of the surrounding area. As cities expand ar ound ports\, however\, tensions can emerge as port activities compete with urban needs for land\, mobility\, accessibility\, and public space. This mutually beneficial relationship may become increasingly complex\, making integrated port-city planning and coordination essential.These interaction s are further shaped by climate change\, environmental pressures\, risk ma nagement\, security\, and crisis response. Investment decisions therefore need to consider not only port performance\, but also their vulnerabilitie s\, wider economic\, social\, and environmental impacts. Strong cooperatio n between port authorities\, cities\, governments\, the private sector\, a nd local stakeholders can help align priorities and contribute to the Sust ainable Development Goals.This session will explore how investment and str onger port-city relationships can support sustainable and resilient develo pment\, while sharing experiences\, practical approaches\, and good practi ces.Questions for discussionHow can ports and cities balance competing nee ds for land\, mobility\, accessibility\, and public space as both continue to grow? What approaches can support more integrated planning?How can leg al and institutional frameworks facilitate port investment and expansion\, including through effective concession agreements?How can port investment generate wider economic and social benefits for surrounding cities and co mmunities? What should be considered when planning major port development projects?How can port-city relationships turn climate challenges into oppo rtunities for shared resilience and progress towards the Sustainable Devel opment Goals (SDGs)?<\;p>\;Ports play a central role in facilitating t rade\, supporting economic activity\, and connecting countries to global m arkets. Their ability to grow\, adapt\, and remain competitive depends on sustained investment in infrastructure and development.<\;/p>\;<\;p& gt\;Ports also play an important role in shaping the cities around them. B y generating employment\, trade\, and economic opportunities\, ports can a ttract people\, businesses\, and investment\, contributing to the growth o f the surrounding area. As cities expand around ports\, however\, tensions can emerge as port activities compete with urban needs for land\, mobilit y\, accessibility\, and public space. This mutually beneficial relationshi p may become increasingly complex\, making integrated port-city planning a nd coordination essential.<\;/p>\;<\;p>\;These interactions are fu rther shaped by climate change\, environmental pressures\, risk management \, security\, and crisis response. Investment decisions therefore need to consider not only port performance\, but also their vulnerabilities\, wide r economic\, social\, and environmental impacts. Strong cooperation betwee n port authorities\, cities\, governments\, the private sector\, and local stakeholders can help align priorities and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.<\;/p>\;<\;p>\;This session will explore how inv estment and stronger port-city relationships can support sustainable and r esilient development\, while sharing experiences\, practical approaches\, and good practices.<\;/p>\;<\;h4>\;Questions for discussion<\;/h 4>\;<\;ul>\;<\;li data-list-item-id="\;eeb7c6fa7b568f60386b6f6 a2fe53f36d\n\nView meeting on unctad.org\nhttps://unctad.org/meeting/globa l-supply-chain-forum-2026-session-future-ready-ports-part-ii-investment-an d-port-city DTSTAMP:20261020T004059Z END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR