This booklet outlines strategic directions towards socioeconomic development for the Union of Municipalities of Qalaat El-Istiqlal in Bekaa Governorate. They were developed within the scope of UN-Habitat's initiative "Improving Planning Capacities for Social and Economic Local Development" implemented between 2020 and 2023 in close collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs and funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.

Land conflicts over natural resources, territorial boundaries, political and administration disputes, as well as rapid urbanization are recurrent in Guinea-Bissau. In collaboration with FAO, UN-Habitat intervened to promote a participatory process for land demarcation, zoning, and interventions for the future development of the community.

The Shanghai Manual was established in 2011 following the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai and serves as a tool to support the efforts of mayors and urban practitioners in advancing sustainable urban development. The ideas and principles of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and New Urban Agenda have been integrated into the Manual, with a focus on challenges such as how to achieve inclusive and liveable cities, innovative and creative cities and sustainable and resilient cities.
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Water is the basis for life, and meeting water supply demand is a global challenge, particularly in developing countries. In 2020, it was estimated that two billion people lived in water-stressed regions with no access to a safely managed drinking water service on premises, available when needed and free of contamination. This condition is expected to worsen in some regions due to climate change and rapid population growth. The United Nations World Water Development Report 2020 estimates that…