Hawaiʻi County has been handpicked as one of 12 U.S. municipalities to participate in the Cities Forward program.

The program, which is a collaborative endeavor involving the U.S. Department of State, the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI)—Local Governments for Sustainability, Resilient Cities Catalyst, and the Institute of the Americas, is strategically designed to empower cities across the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean (LAC) in their journey toward crafting resilient, inclusive, and sustainable futures. Participating municipalities are equipped to tackle pressing urban challenges head-on through project consultation, co-design, and the exchange of knowledge.

Hawai’i County has been paired with Fortaleza, Brasil in a partnership that promises to enrich local insight and leverage the wealth of global resources available through ICLEI’s international network of agencies. This collaboration ensures the creation of innovative, comprehensive sustainability solutions tailored to the unique needs of both regions.

In a press release Mayor Roth said, “Our administration continues to build partnerships to help ensure the sustainability of our island home, which, to us, means forging an island that allows our keiki every opportunity to live and thrive here for generations. That’s why we’re thrilled to have received the honor of this partnership and look forward to collaborating with states and nations across the globe who share similar goals. A thriving community cannot be achieved alone, as a rising tide lifts all ships. We look forward to embarking on this journey with Fortaleza and collectively shaping a brighter, more resilient future for our communities together.”

For more information about the Cities Forward program, please visit https://icleiusa.org/cities-forward/.