At the 61st ISOCARP World Planning Congress, held in Riyadh from 1 to 4 December, UNDP joined planners, decision makers, and global experts to explore how cities can remain resilient and liveable in an era of rapid change. UNDP’s participation highlighted a simple idea, planning can no longer be limited to extending past trends, it must also prepare for multiple possible futures.

As part of the programme, Bronwyn Williams, Strategic Foresight Advisor from UNDP Headquarters was invited to speak on a panel that   emphasized the growing importance of foresight in planning. Her message focused on integrating strategic scanning, scenario building, and risk anticipation into decision making, helping institutions navigate uncertainty linked to climate pressures, economic transitions, technological shifts, and evolving social dynamics. 

Foresight, she noted, is not about prediction, it is about expanding the range of options, stress testing policies, identifying weak signals early, and enabling governments and cities to act sooner with greater coherence and agility.

Beyond the intervention itself, the Congress provided a valuable platform to connect international expertise with national priorities, in line with Riyadh’s ambitions and Vision 2030. 

By promoting foresight as a practical planning tool, UNDP continues to support approaches that strengthen resilience, inclusion, quality of life, and the capacity of cities to adapt, not only to today’s challenges, but also to the realities of tomorrow.