The evening was elevated by the keynote address from The Honourable Bob Rae, President of ECOSOC and Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations, who underscored Canada’s critical role in shaping the future of urban sustainability. Ambassador Rae emphasized the importance of collaborative action in addressing urban challenges and advancing the UN’s SDGs through innovative, inclusive, and sustainable solutions. “Canada has long been a champion of peace, sustainability, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The Frontrunner Program exemplifies Canada’s commitment to driving meaningful change through innovation, resilience, and international cooperation,” said The Honourable Bob Rae. “This event reflects the global importance of Canada’s leadership in advancing sustainable urban solutions that benefit cities around the world.” A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of The Canada Frontrunner Compendium, a groundbreaking initiative positioning Canada as a global leader in urban sustainability. Launched at the World Urban Pavilion, this program is a collaboration between the Urban Economy Forum, UN-Habitat, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and The Daniels Corporation. Through this initiative, Canada is providing scalable solutions to urban challenges while advancing the global SDG agenda.