The Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) participated in the Second World Summit on Social Development – Qatar, organized by the “Data Now” initiative, with the participation of representatives from four countries: Palestine, Paraguay, Ghana, and Vietnam, alongside dozens of international experts in statistics, urban policy, and sustainable development. APLA’s participation aimed to present the Palestinian experience in leveraging spatial data and satellite imagery as tools to inform local decision-making and shape evidence-based public policies, while highlighting the role of Palestinian local governments in linking scientific knowledge with practical development transitions on the ground.
During the session, APLA’s Manager of Programs and Policies, Eng. Ohoud Enaya, delivered an in-depth presentation on the mechanisms for integrating spatial analysis into municipal planning tools in Palestine. She showcased how satellite imagery is used to measure urban expansion, identify service gaps in public transport and urban open spaces, and support spatial development plans aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities.
Eng. Enaia emphasized that, despite the field and structural challenges facing Palestine, the experience demonstrated the ability of local governments to adopt advanced scientific and technical approaches that can enhance urban policies with the data needed to achieve spatial justice and address service gaps through informed, systematic methods.
The session also highlighted parallel experiences from Paraguay, Ghana, and Vietnam, focusing on the use of spatial data in issues related to water, pollution, and poverty, providing a valuable space for knowledge exchange and for developing shared visions on the future of data-driven development.
APLA’s participation in the summit, in partnership with the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, reflects its commitment to strengthening Palestine’s presence in global platforms dedicated to development policies and reinforcing the position of local governments as key drivers of sustainable development—capable of transforming data into decisions that create meaningful, tangible impact in people’s lives.