On June 17 and 18, the city of São Paulo, capital of the eponymous state and Brasil's foremost financial center, welcomes the Urban20 Summit of Mayors, a G20 Social engagement group dedicated to debating the present and future of urban life, with a focus on intelligent, democratic, and sustainable cities.
Each day, deep changes in urban life and activity are in evidence, and for these we need to be prepared. Currently, more than half the world's population live in cities and it is estimated that by 2050 two thirds of this entire population will dwell in urban areas.
Moreover, despite covering a mere 2% of the Earth's surface, it is in cities that roughly 75% of the planet's energy and raw materials are consumed and 70% of greenhouse gases are emitted. The data appears in the 2022 "World Cities Report" published by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN Habitat) that reviews international debates on urban development.
On June 17 and 18, the City of São Paulo, Brasil's foremost financial center, will host the Urban20 Summit of Mayors, a G20 Social engagement group dedicated to debate on the present and future of urban life, with a focus on intelligent, democratic, and sustainable cities. The event, held at Instituto Tomie Ohtake, will promote discussions on urban planning and diplomacy and foster exchanges of experiences and best practices, while stimulating new business opportunities and international cooperation among the municipal administrations participating in the U20.
"The U20 is coordinated by C40 Cities, a global network of mayors committed to fighting climate change, and by United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), a worldwide organization of local and regional administrations. The Municipal Secretariat for International Relations, jointly with the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro, is preparing agendas to enable the Urban20 to facilitate lasting cooperation within the scope of the G20. In that way, calling attention to the needs and concerns of cities, making them known and enabling their fulfillment", says Ambassador Maria Auxiliadora Figueiredo, the City of São Paulo's Deputy-Secretary for International Relations.
"The U20 is coordinated by C40 Cities, a global network of mayors committed to fighting climate change, and by United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), a worldwide organization of local and regional administrations. The Municipal Secretariat for International Relations, jointly with the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro, is preparing agendas to enable the Urban20 to facilitate lasting cooperation within the scope of the G20. In that way, calling attention to the needs and concerns of cities, making them known and enabling their fulfillment", says Ambassador Maria Auxiliadora Figueiredo, the City of São Paulo's Deputy-Secretary for International Relations.
The Summit will bring together authorities of 38 cities from member and guest countries representing different continents. Expected outcomes include a Communiqué expressing the views and recommendations of the group to be presented to the Heads of State and of Government at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in November. Among the key issues addressed are construction and engineering approaches for buildings that generate lower atmospheric emissions, in line with zero emission standards since, according to data from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), half of the buildings that will be present in 2050 have yet to be built.
The São Paulo Urban Forum
The Urban20 Mayors' Summit will meet within the context of the Forum that also encompasses other events relating to urban issues. The aim is to contribute toward the dynamics, debates and connections between municipal leaders and experts on these issues. From June 17 to 23, in parallel to the Summit, São Paulo will also host the Executive Council Meeting of the World Association of Large Metropolises (Metropolis); the Mercocities Council Meeting, with representatives of up to eight cities from each Mercosur and Unasur member country; the triennial World Congress of Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI); and the 3rd meeting of Virada ODS, that seeks to engage the population in actions for attainment of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
