Background and objectives:

The Iberoamerican and Caribbean Forum on Best Practices is a regional network of public and private sector partners who came together in 1997 to identify, analyze, document and disseminate regional best practices that have contributed to improving the quality of life in the region’s cities. The initiative is part of UN-HABITAT’s Global Best Practices and Local Leadership Programme, which is dedicated to identifying, analyzing and disseminating best practices in improving the living environment. It operates through networking of sub-regional nodes and Focal Points engaged in the search for best practices in sustainable human settlements development.

Activities:
The main activities include:

• Promoting and collecting best practices in the region.
• Identifying and documenting regional practices for the Dubai International Award for Best Practices.
• Several activities conducted by partners to promote the awards and the forum objectives.
• Consolidating the Forum as the regional arm of the Best Practices and Local Leadership Programme
• Organization of International Events and meetings to promote Best Practices

Results:
The results achieved were:

• A large number of Publications, including a guide for best practices transfer, thematic publications and case studies, available at UN-HABITAT’s online library.
• Enlargement of the network, strengthened partnership and increased activities.
• Each year, several practices are recognized as Good, Best and some were awarded with the Winners prize by the Dubai International Award for Best Practices.
• Networking events are conducted during each World Urban Forum.