Urbanisation is reshaping our world and future, and nowhere is this transformation more profound than in Asia. Today, more than 2.2 billion people -- 54% of the global urban population -- live in Asian cities. By 2050, this figure is expected to increase by an additional 1.2 billion people. As urban centres expand, so must our vision for them. Cities must work for everyone, and that means gender-responsive urban planning must top our agenda.

It could not be clearer: the future of urbanisation must be shaped by women.

Today, more than 80% of global GDP is generated in cities. Done right, urbanisation can be the engine for tremendous economic growth. It can be the forklift that pulls millions out of poverty. It can bring opportunities and access to people at an unprecedented scale. It can reshape lives by expanding access to jobs, services, and infrastructure, making cities hubs of progress and innovation.

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