Capital District Times

Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan expressed her pride in the city's selection for the Cities Forward program, emphasizing Albany's commitment to sustainability and quality of life improvement for its residents. She highlighted Albany's achievements in combating climate change, such as converting all streetlights to LEDs, sourcing 100% renewable electricity, and aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050. Sheehan acknowledged the program as an opportunity to enhance Albany's initiatives further, including planting trees, expanding EV charging infrastructure, and prioritizing climate justice communities.

Angie Fyfe, the Executive Director of ICLEI USA, shared her enthusiasm for the collaboration among the selected cities, emphasizing the potential for crafting innovative and inclusive sustainable solutions that can have a global impact. Fyfe highlighted the importance of leveraging local expertise and global perspectives to address sustainability challenges effectively.

The City of Albany is looking forward to collaborating closely with Manaus, Brazil, to foster equitable economic opportunities, enhance sustainability efforts, and create a healthy environment for all residents. Through this partnership, Albany aims to strengthen its commitment to inclusivity and environmental well-being.

The Cities Forward program, organized by ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, brings together a diverse group of cities from across the Americas to work on urban sustainability, resilience, and inclusion. The program aims to facilitate the exchange of experiences and solutions among participating cities, culminating in the Cities Forward Academy in 2025.

For more information about the Cities Forward program and the participating cities, including Albany, interested individuals can visit https://icleiusa.org/cities-forward.