Press Release
Urban Economy Forum Announces AURA Partnership at World Urban Pavilion, Marking 4th Anniversary at 2nd Canada Frontrunner Gala
April 21, 2026 – Toronto, Canada.
Press Release
Urban Economy Forum Announces AURA Partnership at World Urban Pavilion, Marking 4th Anniversary at 2nd Canada Frontrunner Gala
April 21, 2026 – Toronto, Canada
On the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the World Urban Pavilion in Regent Park, and coinciding with the International Day of Creativity and Innovation, the Urban Economy Forum (UEF) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the AURA for Inclusion and Communities Development, a Jordan-based urban resilience initiative focused on inclusion, community development, and urban resilience.
The announcement took place at the 2nd Canada Frontrunner Gala, a high-level gathering that convened representatives from national and local governments, city leadership, academic institutions, and international organizations. The event underscored how cities are increasingly adopting innovation-driven and collaborative approaches to address economic development, governance challenges, and long-term sustainability.
A message delivered on behalf of the Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, highlighted the importance of international cooperation in shaping resilient urban systems.
“As communities around the world continue to grow and evolve, thoughtful collaboration and innovation are essential to building cities that are more vibrant, livable, and equitable.”
The message further emphasized the need for cities and institutions to work across borders in response to shared global pressures –including economic uncertainty, rapid urbanization, and evolving social needs –and highlighted the importance of coordinated policy frameworks and institutional partnerships in supporting stable and adaptive urban economies.
The event also featured a virtual video address from AURA founder and CEO Aseel Al Majali, who reflected on the practical implications of the agreement Practical Implementation Partner Of the agreement and its potential to unlock new avenues for collaboration and regional engagement.
The signed MOU establishes a strategic framework for cooperation between the Urban Economy Forum (UEF) and @AURA, enabling structured collaboration across knowledge exchange, program development, and the design of scalable models for urban economic transformation. It aims to strengthen institutional alignment while advancing practical solutions that respond to the realities of cities on the ground. While rooted in Jordan, the partnership is designed with a regional and global outlook. Organizers noted that the collaboration could serve as a foundation for broader engagement across the Arab region, with the potential to replicate and adapt similar models of cooperation in cities facing comparable economic and social conditions.
As the World Urban Pavilion continues to evolve as a global platform for dialogue and implementation, this partnership reflects a growing commitment to bridging local action with international collaboration—advancing a new generation of urban transformation initiatives grounded in resilience, inclusion, and shared knowledge.
Aseel Al Majali
Media and institutional inquiries may be directed to Urban Economy Forum at info@ueforum.org,
Aura for Inclusion and Communities Development at ura.business360@gmail.com