The two-day Urban 20 (U20) Mayoral Summit recently took place in Ahmedabad, the chair city, from 7-8 July. The summit served as a platform for mayors from cities across the G20 countries to address critical issues related to urban development. The event concluded with the official handover of the Communiqué, a document representing collective solutions proposed by the mayors to the leaders of the G20 countries.
About Urban 20 (U20) Summit:
The U20 Summit is a city diplomacy initiative that was launched on December 12, 2017, during the One Planet Summit in Paris. It provides a vital platform for cities from G20 countries to engage in discussions and collaborations on crucial urban development matters. The focus areas of the U20 Summit include climate change, social inclusion, sustainable mobility, and affordable housing, among others. The U20 is organized by C40 Cities (C40) and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), with a rotating chair city based in the G20 host country.
Ahmedabad as the Chair City:
This year, the City of Ahmedabad had the honor of chairing the U20 Summit. As the chair city, Ahmedabad played a crucial role in facilitating discussions and guiding the summit’s agenda. The selection of Ahmedabad as the chair city reflects its commitment to sustainable development and urban innovation.
Historic Communiqué Endorsements:
One of the notable achievements of the U20 Summit was the unprecedented number of endorsements received for the Communiqué. A remarkable 105 cities from around the world endorsed the document, marking the highest-ever number of endorsements for any U20 Communiqué to date. This milestone demonstrates the widespread support and global significance of the U20 Summit as a platform for collective action on urban challenges.
Key Priorities and Action Agenda:
The Communiqué serves as an action agenda and addresses six priorities collectively identified by the U20 cities. These priorities are designed to drive positive change and shape the future of urban development. They include:
- Encouraging Environmentally Responsible Behaviors: U20 cities aim to promote sustainable practices and encourage citizens to adopt environmentally responsible behaviors to address climate change and protect the planet.
- Accelerating Climate Finance: The Communiqué emphasizes the importance of increasing climate finance to support sustainable urban projects and initiatives, helping cities transition to low-carbon economies.
- Championing Local Culture and Economy: U20 cities recognize the significance of preserving local culture and supporting local economies to ensure vibrant and inclusive urban communities.
- Ensuring Water Security: The Communiqué highlights the need for sustainable water management strategies to address water scarcity, improve water quality, and ensure access to clean water for all.
- Catalyzing Digital Urban Futures: U20 cities recognize the transformative potential of digital technologies in enhancing urban services, promoting innovation, and creating smart and resilient cities.
- Reinventing Frameworks for Urban Planning and Governance: The Communiqué underscores the importance of reimagining urban planning and governance frameworks to foster sustainable, equitable, and inclusive cities.
Alignment with the G20 Theme:
The Communiqué aligns with the G20 theme of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” which translates to “One Earth, One Family, One Future.” This alignment highlights the shared commitment of U20 cities and the G20 countries towards addressing global challenges and promoting sustainable development for the benefit of all.
