We acknowledge that the land we are meeting on is the peoples and land of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation. Our work in Toronto also takes place in the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit.

• Moderator: Anantha Krishnan, Secretary General of UEF
• Reza Pourvaziry, Chair, UEF
• Berry Vrbanovic, Mayor, City of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
• Uğur İbrahim Altay, President of UCLG and Mayor of Konya Metropolitan Municipality, Turkey
• Mauricio Cortes Olguin, Managing Director, Territoria (Mexico) 

• Land Acknowledgement /Ilda Cordeiro, UEF6 Co – Director, UEF Director of Programs  
• Message from Prime Minster Justin Trudeau / Alex Venuto, Deputy Director, World Urban Pavilion in Regent Park (Canada) 

• Moderator: Eduardo Lopez Moreno, Co-Director, World Urban Pavilion (Canada)
• Emilia Saiz, Secretary General, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) 
• Mr. Fredis Alonso Cerrato Valladares, Minister of Economic Development, Honduras
• Minister Abdi Farah Said Juxa, Minister of Interior, Federal Affairs and Democratization-MoIFAD, Puntland, SomaliaRepresentative of President 
• Kamran Hassani Espili, Executive Director, UEF (Canada)

• Mr. Babak Arefpour, CEO of Montrok
• Mark Kealy, Kealey & Associates Inc. (Canada)

The 1st Mayoral Roundtable aims to bring together mayors, policymakers, and experts from the Global North to share their experiences and insights on funding sustainable tourism initiatives that enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. Topics will include innovative financing mechanisms, public-private partnerships, and community engagement strategies that ensure tourism development is environmentally responsible and socially inclusive. Mayors will discuss best practices and successful models from cities that have balanced tourism growth with the preservation of natural resources and cultural heritage. The roundtable seeks to provide actionable recommendations and foster collaboration among cities worldwide, contributing to the global dialogue on sustainable urban tourism and its role in improving the well-being of urban populations. 

• Moderator: Berry  Vrbanovic, Mayor of Kitchener, Ontario (Canada)
• David West, Mayor of Richmond Hill, ON (Canada) 
• Dorothy McCabe, Mayor of Waterloo, ON (Canada)
• Mat Siscoe, Mayor of St. Catharines, Ontario (Canada)
• Daniel P. Rourke, Mayor of Lowell, Massachusetts (USA) 
• Jan Liggett, Mayor of Cambridge (Canada) 

• Mr. Aliakbar Moradfar, CEO & Partner, Al Sabah General Electric Co. Ltd (Kuwait)

In this session mayors will discuss innovative financing strategies, with a focus on green financing, to support sustainable tourism initiatives. Panelists will explore how these financial tools can enhance local economies while preserving cultural and natural resources. Case studies from cities in the Global South will highlight successful approaches to integrating green financing into tourism projects, demonstrating the positive impact on community well-being and environmental sustainability. The roundtable aims to inspire actionable solutions and promote global collaboration in sustainable tourism financing. 

• Moderators: Anantha Krishnan, Secretary General of UEF 
• Video Message: Mr. Hiver Flores Tórrez, Vice Minister of Tourism of Bolivia
• Pastor Umo Eno Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria 
• Hasan Kilca Mayor of Karatay (Turkey) - Topic: Sustainable Urbanization and Tourism on the Axis of Culture and History: Karatay  
• Utku Caner Çaykara, Mayor of Avcılar, (Istanbul)

The High-Level Roundtable will convene distinguished leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss the pivotal role of international cooperation in advancing sustainable tourism as a driver for achieving the SDGs. This roundtable will explore strategic partnerships, innovative policies, and best practices that align tourism development with the SDGs, focusing on poverty alleviation, environmental conservation, and cultural preservation. panelists will share insights on leveraging tourism to promote inclusive economic growth and sustainable development globally. 

• Modorator: Eduardo Jasso, Director, UEF Latin America & Caribbean (LAC) (Mexico) 
• Farah Aw-Osman, State Minister, Ministry of Planning, Economic Development & International Cooperation (Mopedic), Garowe, Puntland State (Somalia)  
• Mehmet Duman, Secretary General, UCLG-MEWA - Topic: Inclusive Design in Tourism Infrastructure: Championing the Principle of Leave No One Behind  
• Amir Hossein Kashfi, Co - Director for Glocal Platform for Urban Finance - GPUF (Canada) 
• Julie Ward, Former Member of European Parliament & Co-Chair of Steering Committee, World Urban Pavilion in Regent Park (UK) 
• Elkin Velásquez, Regional Representative UN-Habitat LAC 
• Ali Kashef, JTA Country Manager, JTA Holdings (Canada)
• Carlos Sousa, FIABCI Canada Director
• Reza Esmaili, CEO, Land Services Group and Founder of CRAWDA (Canada) 

Eduardo Lopez Moreno, Co-Director, World Urban Pavilion

Berry Vrbanovic, Mayor of Kitchener, ON, (Canada)

• Moderator: Julie Ward, Former Member of European Parliament & Co-Chair, Steering Committee, World Urban Pavilion
• Eduardo Lopez Moreno, Co-Director, World Urban Pavilion in Regent Park (Canada) - Topic: Quality of Life and Sustainable Tourisme 

Session 1 will explore innovative financial strategies for sustainable urban tourism. Financial experts, urban planners, and tourism leaders will discuss funding mechanisms such as public-private partnerships, impact investing, and green financing. The session will examine how these models drive economic growth and business development while promoting environmental sustainability and community well-being. Case studies and best practices will offer actionable insights for cities aiming to enhance their urban tourism infrastructure sustainably. 

• Moderator: Saeed Sepanta, Chief Coordinator, World Industrial Centre of Excellence (Canada
• Prof. Olaf Weber, CIBC Chair in Sustainable Finance at the Schulich School of Business and Waterloo University, 
• Larry Law, Owner / Founder, Living Water, Resort & Spa (ON, Canada) - Topic: How to understand people’s well-being needs and how to build up a platform to support and grow collectively
• Dr. Leia Minaker, Associate Professor, School of Planning, Director, Future Cities Institute, University of Waterloo (Canada) - Topic: The Future Cities Institute: community-university partnerships to advance sustainable, prosperous, healthy cities
• Kamran Hassani Espili, UEF Executive Director (Toronto, Canada)
• Prof. Markus Moos, School of Planning University of Waterloo Editor, Urban Studies Journal (Canada)  
• Erinn Van Wynsberghe, President & CEO,  VanWyn Inc, Canada, the transformative solutions for sustainable urban development.

This session will explore the role of gender equality, community empowerment, and education in promoting sustainable tourism and enhancing quality of life. Experts will discuss strategies to empower women and marginalized communities, emphasizing inclusive practices that improve local well-being. The session will highlight education and training programs that equip communities with skills for sustainable tourism, while innovative financial models will be presented, showcasing how eco-friendly and socially responsible tourism can improve both economic success and overall quality of life. 

• Moderator: Julie Ward, Former Member of European Parliament & Co-Chair, Steering Committee, World Urban Pavilion 
• Wendy M. Purcell, Professor and Vice Chair of Education, Rutgers University, Visiting Research Scientist at Harvard (USA) - Topic: Education that Advances the Pursuit of Sustainable Tourism
• Diane Dupuy, President & Founder of Famous PEOPLE Players, Toronto, Canada 
• Dr. Yonette Thomas, Professor, University of Memphis (USA) - Topic: Health, Wellbeing, and Quality of Life: Critical Considerations for Sustainable Tourism
• Yehia Ibrahim, International Relations Coordinator, United Cities and Local Governments - UCLG (Turkey) - Topic: Tourism and Gender: The Role of Local Governments in Ensuring Safety for Women Travelers 
• Fazileh Dadvar, Professor of Gender Geography, and Director of UEF6 at UEF - Topic: Gender Geography and Sustainable Tourism: Strategies for Bridging the Gender Gap 
• Kaitie Worobec, Sustainable Tourism Specialist, The Travel Foundation (Canada)

Session 5 will focus on the relationship between tourism and preserving cultural and historical assets. Experts in cultural heritage, urban planning, and tourism will discuss strategies for developing infrastructure that enhances cultural and heritage tourism. Topics include integrating modern infrastructure with historical sites, sustainable tourism practices for cultural preservation, and tourism's role in fostering cultural exchange. Attendees will learn how to balance development and preservation, ensuring tourism infrastructure respects and sustains cultural and historical resources responsibly. 

• Moderator: Donna Miller-Ayton, Manager of Planning Policy & Heritage, City of Charlottetown, (Canada)
• Karen Kubey, Daniels Faculty, University of Toronto 
• Elkin Velásquez, Regional Representative UN-Habitat LAC 
• Lisa Barrett, Director of Strategic Planning, Destination Canada - Topic: Measuring Tourism's True Impact: The Wealth & Wellbeing Index
• Aliakbar Moradfar, CEO & Partner, AL SABAH GENERAL ELECTRIC CO. LTD.
• Adeniyi Tinubu, The CEO, Hudders Field Property Agency, Nigeria
• Marc Kealey, Kealey & Associates Inc. Canada 
• Ruth Burns, Executive Director, Ontario Culture Days (Canada) - Topic: "Thriving Arts Ecosystems and the Tourism Connection"
• Fuat Ozcan, Karatay Municipality Foreign Relations Manager & EU Project Office Coordinator - Topic: Sustainable Development in the Context of Historical and Cultural Heritage: Savatra, Turkey

Julie Ward, Former Member of European Parliament & Co-Chair, Steering Committee, World Urban Pavilion

• Moderator: Eduardo Lopez Moreno, Co-Director, World Urban Pavilion (Canada) 
• Mitchell Cohen, CEO of the Daniels Corporation 
• Dr. Carlos Moreno, Associate Professor, Paris Sorbonne Business School, Panthéon Sorbonne University

The session will explore the pivotal role that environmentally responsible tourism plays in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs). It will also emphasize how urban data, knowledge, and cutting-edge technologies can be leveraged to foster sustainable tourism development. By integrating these elements, cities can promote tourism that not only minimizes environmental impact but also enhances economic growth, social equity, and cultural preservation, all while contributing to global sustainability efforts. 

• Moderator: Dr. Wendy M. Purcell, Professor and Vice Chair of Education, Rutgers University, Visiting Research Scientist at Harvard (USA)
• Yunqing Xu, Senior Associate Professor at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (China) - Topic: Low-Carbon Tourism: A Green Transformation in China
• Dr. David Wachsmuth, Associate Professor at McGill University (Canada)
• Andreia  Rosa Collard, Specialist Advisor on Digital Transformation, Innovation, and Modernization, Madeira, Portugal
• Hamed Hadayeghi , Founder & CEO of Hamed Venture and Start-ups Program Advisor to GPUF 
• Clementine Affana, Founder of The Travel with Clem Brands (Canada)  - Topic: Innovative Urban Tourism: Examples of Sustainable Practices for Enhanced Quality of Life
• Oğuz Şen, Avcılar Municipality SDGs Ambassador, Turkey 

Session 9 will focus on the vital role of indigenous communities in sustainable tourism development. This session will bring together indigenous leaders, tourism professionals, and policymakers to discuss strategies for promoting tourism that respects and benefits local cultures and communities. Topics will include empowering indigenous communities through tourism, preserving cultural heritage, and creating authentic, community-driven tourism experiences. Attendees will learn from best practices for fostering inclusive and respectful tourism development that supports local economies and cultural preservation. 

• Moderator: Anatha Krishnan, Secretary General of UEF (Canada)
• Cynthia Lopez Castro, (Federal Member of the LXV Legislature CIHALC, International Habitat Summit of Latin America and the Caribbean 
• Dr.  Sonya Graci, Associate Professor of Toronto Metropolitan University (Canada) - Topic: The Sustainable Livelihoods Approach to Indigenous Tourism Development
• Keith Henry, President & CEO, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
• Brad Robinson (Green Thunderbird), Owner & Operator, Thrive Tours (Canada) - Topic: Empowering Indigenous Tourism: Bridging the Gap to Sustainable and Inclusive Development 

UEF Appreciation Award: Naama Blonder, Architect & Urban Designer, Co-Founder, Smart Density Canada) 

Closing Rremarks - Eduardo Lopez Moreno and Reza Pourvaziry 

Indigenous Closing Ceremony - 

Livestream from Nathan Philips Square 

• (Moderator) Dr. Giuseppe  Tesoriere, Economic Affairs Officer, Gender, Poverty and Social Policy Division, Urbanization and Development section United Nations Economic Commission for Africa  
• Alex Venuto, Deputy Director, World Urban Pavilion
• Kyle Farrell, Managing Partner, Economic Pulse Analytics, Canada
• Barbara Jamison-Woods, President of City Destinations Alliance and Head Of Business development Europe at London & Partners
• Fabio Carbone, Senior Lecturer at Faculty of Business and Law, Head of the Special Interest Group "Peace & Development, University Lead for UN Academic Impact (UNAI) Application, University of Northampton England, U K 
• Dr Tracey P. Lauriault, Associate Professor, Critical Media and Big Data, School of Journalism and Communication, Carleton University (Canada) - Topic: Digital Twins and Metrology: Navigating and Measure as Tourism 
• Mansour Ghanian, Professor of Human Geography at ASNRUKH & Researcher at University of Coimbra, (Portugal) 
• Debolina Kundu, Prof. & Director, National Institute of Urban Affairs (India)
• Kabelo Lethunya, Housing and Urban Development Expert, Africa Union Commission (AUC-PAPS) (UK)  
• Dr. Arturo Torres, Professor of University of Guadalajara, Mexico