Each theme and session will further explore various theories and practices, and open opportunities to establish partnerships based on current/proposed initiatives at UEF4.

A. Cities, Financial Institutions, and Sustainable Urban Finance / Exploring Theoretical Concepts

1. The relationships between financial institutions and the issue of sustainable urban resources. 

2. The Interactions between municipalities and urban organisations with financial institutions.

3. Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs).

4. Pension plans.

5. Role of regional and national city associations

B. Cities and Climate Financing

1. Government funding and grants.

2. Private sector.

3. PPPs for climate financing. 

C. Emerging Financial Models and Technologies 

1. Cities & cryptocurrency: opportunities and challenges for urban stakeholders.

2. Urban financing models and funds (national and international).

3. Capacity building and financing technologies in the Construction industry and Building Materials in the National and International levels

D. Innovative Solutions for Housing and Sustainable Urban Development 

1. Financing Models for Housing 

2. Circular Economy: Construction practices, technologies, and innovations. Capacity building and financing tools in the construction industry and building materials. 

E. Inclusive Urban Finance

1. Gender equality in access to urban finance 

2. Participatory and Inclusive Budgeting 

3. Community based financing models 

Appendix A – Main Themes and Sessions Summary
A.   Cities, Financial Institutions, and Sustainable Urban Finance / Exploring Theoretical Concepts

The concepts of sustainable urban economy and municipal finance need to be identified. These concepts are expected to be very broad and varied. We need to recognize the concepts, definitions, and foundations of the core concepts in this area, in presenting initiatives, platforms, proposals, suggestions, and anything that can help us to achieve sustainable urban resources in the form of cooperation between economic organisations and urban organisations. UEF4 provides a unique opportunity for innovators, researchers, and enthusiasts in the field of urban economics to be able to put their ideas into action in the relationship between the executive apparatus and knowledge production centers.

B. Cities and climate financing

UEF4 will bring together international and national financial institutions and provide an opportunity to understand the state of climate financing for cities and explore the role of climate finance in facilitating the development of inclusive, participatory, gender and age responsive cities. There will be opportunities to identify the challenges faced by cities in accessing and attracting climate finance and sharing information on available support. Lack of finance and access to finance at the sub-national level is a major barrier that is preventing cities from realising their sustainability ambitions, particularly in the developing countries. 

Capacity building and financing technologies in the construction industry and building materials in the Global South is another important issue that can be discussed under the umbrella of circular technology (for the regions that have investing and capital problems). These types of technologies can not only reduce the cost of building housing but also reduce carbon emissions, while lowering the cost of labour. Accordingly, we declare the establishment of a global platform for urban finance and urban economy to be a leading fund or financial system in a way that can achieve these goals.

C. Emerging Financial Models and Technologies 

Despite the changes that have taken place since the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is becoming ever more dependent on IT. On the other hand, new financial exchange models such as digital and cryptocurrencies are the basis for creating a different economy. Environmental impacts of how new digital coins are created needs to be examined. The use of block chain to promote a decentralised digital economy that gives citizens control over their own data that could challenge the current digital oligopoly will also be discussed. The experiences of the previous three forums have shown that, to achieve sustainable development, we must build dialogues and close co-operation with stakeholders. The World Urban Pavilion in Regent Park is a space and programme that achieves this goal. The Pavilion was established in accordance with sustainable urban economy approaches and the Pavilion advances its programs in this manner. Therefore, it is important that we focus on the opportunities that exist for forming effective collaborations between the two types of institutions- including executive and -decision maker institutions - in addition to creating dialogues in the following subtitles. 

D. Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Urban Development

In the wake of the post-COVID-19 world, to address the issues around urban economic development, the new buzz is the importance of creating a sustainable Circular Economy (CE). It is considered to be a game-changer.