News

March 11, 2021

Senior Advisory Board Meeting

The first meeting of the Senior Advisory Board (SAB) of Urban Economy Forum (UEF) was held to provide guidance for its third annual gathering  to be held on 4th and 5th of October 2021, virtually and physically in Toronto and to help further develop and implement its strategic priorities and planning over the upcoming year. 


While discussing the main theme of the UEF2021, “Urban Recovery and Housing” it was pointed out that the  long-term housing recovery in relation to COVID-19 pandemic should be seen in a broader context to include an array of social, economic, health and environmental outcomes.

UEF is thrilled to welcome the following SAB Members:


  • Julie Ward, Co-chair of UEF & Former British Member of European Parliament
  • Jose Etcheverry,  Governor of York University
  • Derek Giberson, Councillor, City of Oshawa, Ontario
  • Reid McAlpine, Councillor, City of Markham, Ontario
  • Delia Reiche, Former President of EDCO; Development Liaison, County of Brant, Ontario
  • John Palmer, Professor, the department of Economics, Western University
  • Eugene van den Berg, Fractional CFO & Finance Executive
  • Edmundo Werna, School of the Built Environment and Architecture, London South Bank University
  • Ali Cheraghi, Chairman of Manchester Innovation Institute
  • Jason Gangaram, Associate Regional Director of Admissions, Central Canada at CDI
  • Fareed Amin, Former CAO, Town of Collingwood
  • Rebecca Alty, Mayor of Yellowknife, Canada


In addition to the members of the secretariat of UEF, Kamran Hassani-Espili, Executive Director of UEF, Reza Pourvaziry, Chair of UEF, and Anantha Krishnan, Secretary General of UEF, were amongst the participants.


UEF has been collaborating with the members of the Board in various capacities over the last two years to implement and enrich a number of UEF’s programs. With their continued engagement and support, also as subject matter specialists, UEF can maintain  its momentum as a global organization for sustainable urban economy, municipal finance resources, and achieving the SDGs


The UEF SAB will meet several times throughout the year to advise the UEF Secretariat on its current strategic plans and help operationalize and implement these objectives at a national and global scale. Importantly, the Board will also support UEF’s efforts to introduce Canada as Pioneer nation for the SDGs and encourage cities to collaborate in this regard.


UEF looks forward to strengthening its stature with the expertise, insights and guidance from the SAB members.

Share by: