G20 Engagement Group to host Mayoral Summit to discuss urban issues & challenges

U20 is a city diplomacy initiative, which comprises cities from G20 countries with an emphasis over the role of cities in taking forward the global agenda for sustainable development through collaboration among cities.

G20 Engagement Group of G20 is going to host a two-day Mayoral Summit in Ahmedabad on 7-8 July, 2023, which is expected to bring together several city leaders and Mayors from across G20 nations. To be attended by delegates representing various cities, knowledge partners, Indian and international organizations, academic institutes and dignitaries from the Government of India and the State Government, the summit is going to discuss the pressing urban issues and challenges.

An Engagement Group under India’s G20 presidency, U20 is a city diplomacy initiative, which comprises cities from G20 countries with an emphasis over the role of cities in taking forward the global agenda for sustainable development through collaboration among cities.

Ahmedabad is the U20 Chair for the current sixth cycle and is supported by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) as the Technical Secretariat, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) as the nodal ministry.

Earlier, the U20 City Sherpa meeting was held in February 2023, which proved a successful event that saw the highest in-person attendance of U20 cities till date. In the meeting, six priority areas were deliberated and finalized to be included in the U20 Communiqué.

These six priorities reflect the pressing urban issues and challenges that cities are facing worldwide. They will discuss encouraging environmentally responsible behaviors, accelerating climate finance, ensuring water security, catalyzing digital urban futures, reinventing frameworks for urban governance and planning, and championing local culture and economy.

One of the highlights of the upcoming Mayoral Summit will be four thematic sessions focusing on U20 priorities. More than 20 Mayors from across the world and about 25 Mayors from Indian cities will share the stage and share their experiences of their respective city level actions and initiatives.

Six white papers focusing on the six U20 priorities will also be released in these sessions by the dignitaries. Another exclusive session for Mayors will be a round table on climate finance led by U20 Conveners, UCLG and C40 and the cities of Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo and Ahmedabad.

There will also be a few spotlight sessions, which will focus on aspects of urban resilience, city readiness for investments, inclusion, circular economy and data driven governance. They will showcase the research and works being undertaken by organizations in various cities across India and the world.