Lahore Development Authority and UNICEF sign partnership to put children at the centre of urban planning.

Islamabad, (TW News) – Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and UNICEF have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch Pakistan’s first Child Friendly City Initiative (CFCI) in Lahore, home to over 15 million people including 5.7 million children. This global UNICEF-led initiative supports cities to become safer, more inclusive and responsive to the needs and rights of children.

“This partnership marks an important step towards making Lahore a city where every child is safe, included, heard and empowered to thrive. When we design cities with children in mind, we create better spaces for everyone. UNICEF looks forward to working closely with LDA to deliver tangible results for children,” said Pernille Ironside, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan.

Through this collaboration, Lahore will place children’s needs at the centre of urban planning and service delivery. The initiative aims to ensure that children and adolescents, including girls and children with disabilities, can move safely, access essential services, and participate in decisions that affect their lives.

“Lahore is growing rapidly, and we must ensure that this growth benefits all citizens, especially children. This partnership will help us plan and deliver services in a way that reflects the needs of children and young people and sets a strong example for other cities in Pakistan,” said Mian Marghoob Ahmed, Vice Chairman of the Lahore Development Authority.

The Child Friendly Cities Initiative is currently implemented in more than 4,000 cities and communities across over 48 countries, bringing together governments, civil society, the private sector, academia, media, and children. One of the goals is to empower children and youth to share their perspectives and participate in the decisions made by city authorities that impact their lives and future generations.

Following the signing, the partnership will move into implementation. The next steps include developing a situation analysis and action plan, strengthening coordination across departments, improving data use for planning and decision-making, and expanding opportunities for children and adolescents to participate in the city’s development.

The launch event concluded with a joint pledge from stakeholders—including government, private sector, civil society, media, and children and youth—marking the start of a long-term collaboration to make Lahore safer and more inclusive for every child.