Cairo, November 7, 2024 – The launch of the SDG Cites Global Community at the 12th World Urban Forum (WUF12) celebrated the transformative power of partnerships in accelerating the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDG Cities Global Community (or ‘Community’) harnesses the power of partnerships and UN-Habitat's network on SDG localization for the accelerated implementation of the SDGs.
The SDG Cities Global Community is built upon UN-Habitat’s Flagship Programme, the SDG Cities Global Initiative which supports cities through a three-pronged holistic approach strengthening data systems, improving evidence-based and strategic decision-making and building implementation capacities, including finance. Through the Community, the SDG Cities Flagship Programme aims to transform 50 countries and 1,000 cities and impact 1 billion lives.
The Community provides cities and partners worldwide with unique opportunities for peer learning, capacity building, advocacy, visibility, and partnership building. The SDG Cities Global Community brings together diverse stakeholders to address pressing urban challenges and make sustainable urban development a reality. Through partnerships with financing institutions, academic bodies, and civil society organizations, the SDG Cities Global Community serves as a collaborative platform where diverse stakeholders can explore practical solutions to urban challenges, share best practices, and drive sustainable investment in cities. The Community will highlight key areas, including but not limited to urban finance, urban basic services, gender and much more, allowing cities and partners to connect meaningfully, address needs, and learn from each other.
The Community was launched at the WUF12 with the co-organizer, Regions4 Sustainable Development, which is a global network of subnational governments working as a voice for states, regions and provinces. At this launch event, Maricela Hernández, Executive Director of IFAM, Costa Rica, remarked “The SDG Cities Global Community is a mobilization platform that can take the SDG Canton Network of Costa Rica to the next level…being part of this initiative can nurture and strengthen us bilaterally.” Since its launch, the Community has brought together members from over 50 countries. Join the SDG Cities Global Community and be part of this transformative journey, click here.
As the SDG Cities Global Community grows, UN-Habitat remains committed to fostering these connections, empowering local leaders, and promoting inclusive development worldwide. Through the joint efforts of local authorities, international institutions, and community members, cities continue to become vibrant engines for sustainable progress, proving that partnerships across government and society are essential in accelerating the implementation of SDGs.
We invite you to feature your city or organization in the SDG Cities Global Community newsletter, website, and social media channels through the following link: here.