Strengthening Urban-Rural Linkages for Sustainable Development

The New Urban Agenda stresses the need to reduce urban-rural disparities, to foster equitable development across urban-rural areas, to encourage urban-rural interactions and connectivity by strengthening transport, technology and communication networks and infrastructure, underpinned by planning instruments based on a territorial approach in order to maximize the potential of these sectors for enhanced productivity, social, economic, and territorial cohesion, and environmental sustainability. Urban-rural linkages have the potential to transform sustainable human development for the benefit of all. An enhanced understanding of the economic, social, cultural, and environmental interactions between rural and urban areas is key to advance sustainable development. There is an urgent need to bridge knowledge and capacity gaps in relation to urban and rural challenges such as climate change, safety and security, disaster resilience, food security, health, diet and nutrition. In line with the New Urban Agenda, this event aims to provide a space for a dynamic discussion on the urban-rural linkages from the perspective of sustainable development. It also aims to increase awareness on the fundamental value of the rural sector for sustainable development and about the need of reducing rural-urban disparities.