Regional Forum on Sustainable Development: Cities Leading the Transformation

Cities Alliance participates at the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE Region, in Geneva, on a roundtable around SDG11. 

The Regional Forums on Sustainable Development, convened annually in the five regions of the world by the respective UN Regional Commissions, are the key platforms at the regional level for policy debate, exchange of good practices and peer learning on SDG implementation. Aligned with this year's High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), they provide a space for member States in each region to discuss policy actions, practical solutions and challenges. 

Approximately 75% of emissions originate from cities, whilst by 2050, urban areas are expected to house over two-thirds of the global population. Cities will therefore play a critical role in the push to achieve sustainable development.

Cities are also the site of tackling local complex issues such as housing, energy, transportation, waste and water management, disaster risk reduction, air pollution, population ageing, urban mobility, urban food systems and many others.

Returning the famous phrase “Think Global, Act Local” to its origin in urban planning, this session will highlight the multiple levels at which cities operate, from policies and action at the local level driving forward solutions and positive change, to forging strategic international partnerships to increase their relevance and impact in global matters.

The session will include senior figures from municipal bodies across the region who will share experiences on specific actions and projects undertaken to meet the relevant SDG 11 targets, as well as representatives from international strategic partnerships who will speak to this city-based ‘new multilateralism.’

Cities Alliance will be represented by Laura Lima, Head of Global Programmes.

The roundtable is organized by the UNECE Forests, Land and Housing Division in cooperation with UN-Habitat Geneva Liaison Office.

Register and join us at Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE Region.