The Inclusive Economies Research Programme, a joint initiative of the Gauteng Provincial Government and the GCRO, was ramped-up in February 2023. The programme will implement a research agenda that aims to enhance the understanding of the city-region’s economy, and enable effective policies and strategies for inclusive economic growth and development.

A highlight of the first half of 2022 was our participation in the eleventh World Urban Forum (WUF), held in Katowice, Poland under the theme “Transforming our Cities for a Better Urban Future”. The GCRO was represented by Executive Director Rashid Seedat, who participated in various engagements at WUF..

The GCRO was delighted to welcome the appointment of our new Executive Director, Mr Rashid Seedat, from 1 June 2021. A key highlight over the last six months was the launch of GCRO's Quality of Life Survey 6 (2020/21). The online event, hosted by the University of the Witwatersrand, drew over 300 attendees.

Over the first months of the pandemic, GCRO worked intensively to help inform COVID-19 disaster response planning in Gauteng, compiling data visualisations and analysis, and supporting the Gauteng Provincial Government in mapping the spread of the pandemic.
