Equi Consultancy Partners represented at global summit in Dubai

Equi Consultancy Partners CEO Nora Fraser represented the firm at the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum (APCS) in Dubai this October. The summit brought together mayors, city leaders, policymakers, business executives, innovators, change advocates, young professionals, leading academics, and industry professionals from more than 321 cities across the Asia Pacific region.

The Brisbane City Council programme was held in the Middle East region for the first time. The event has a legacy of nearly 30 years, welcoming more than 600 cities and 15,000 delegates to date. APCS provides an unparalleled platform for leaders to share ideas, tackle common challenges, and showcase the capabilities of cities to the world.

The summit, held at Expo City Dubai under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, featured plenary sessions, workshops, field trips, and opportunities to connect directly with decision-makers shaping the Asia Pacific region.

One of the many insightful sessions examined Dubai’s inaugural Voluntary Local Review (VLR) and its alignment with the UN 2030 Agenda. Attendees focused on strengthening local-to-national reporting, enhancing data-driven decision-making, and accelerating the SDGs through practical mechanisms and peer learning.

In a significant milestone that reaffirms its global leadership in sustainable development, Dubai was recently awarded Gold Certification by the UN-Habitat SDG Cities Programme. The recognition was announced during the Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum 2025, hosted by Expo Dubai. The announcement coincided with the launch of Dubai’s Voluntary Local Review, the first initiative of its kind in the region, highlighting the emirate’s commitment to aligning local strategies with the global sustainable development agenda through a rigorous, data-driven governance model focused on measurable outcomes.

The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee also presented its procurement opportunities to global delegates.

Speaking ahead of the summit, Nora Fraser said the event was a remarkable opportunity to connect with so many innovators, including city leaders, mayors, policymakers, and changemakers. She reflected on the importance of redefining what a sustainable, inclusive future should look like, leading cities with purpose and equity as a model for others, using digital inclusion to drive economic empowerment and ethical AI, employing data as a language of collaboration and measurable impact, and accelerating the SDGs through localisation and national integration.

Fraser also highlighted the value of her visit to EMICOOL, which provided insight into sustainable infrastructure, operational efficiency, technology adoption, and emissions reduction at city scale. She acknowledged the generous Evening Reception and Dinner sponsored by the Apparel Group, hosted by Sima and Nilesh Ved at their private residence, as well as the Women’s Pavilion Majlis workshops and other forums that offered opportunities to exchange ideas with global counterparts.

Equi Consultancy Partners is also a proud member of the SME Climate Hub, a global initiative that empowers small to medium-sized companies to take action on climate change and contribute to sustainable development goals, with a portion of their revenue invested in social enterprises committed to creating positive change in the world.

Fraser said: “The Asia Pacific Cities Summit is an extraordinary platform to showcase the capabilities of our region and to learn from global best practice. I am excited to continue connecting with leaders across sectors and contributing to shaping sustainable, inclusive solutions for communities worldwide. Excitingly, in 2027, APCS will return to Brisbane, and I look forward to continuing this important work.”

More information
Find out more about the 2025APCS at apcsummit.org