The report consists of seven chapters covering selected issues that currently characterise the Arab region. In chapter one, the report presents the state of urbanisation in the region, with its key drivers and urbanization trends. Chapter two explores a selection of major challenges and opportunities in the region, with an emphasis on their influence on the urban fabric of the region.

In chapter three, the status-quo of infrastructure is discussed, highlighting key challenges and shortfalls. The report then presents the need for a paradigm shift in urban infrastructure in chapter four, illustrating emerging infrastructure opportunities that could contribute towards building a more sustainable future for cities. In chapter five, the need for financing infrastructure projects in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda is explored, along with the gaps in the current financial frameworks.

Chapter six focuses on the need for stronger multilateral governance to further sustainable development and highlights the financial trends and opportunities which could improve infrastructure development in the region. This includes shifts towards decentralization, maximizing public revenue generation, leveraging private sector-based methods, tapping into international networks, exploring emerging and atypical financing mechanisms, and elevating the role of participatory approaches in the planning process to ensure that no one gets left behind. Based on the findings of this report, chapter 7 synthesizes and summarizes a number of key recommendations at the regional, national and city level.