Hundreds of delegates from all over the world will attend World Urban Forum, which open on sunday in the city of Katowice, southern Poland.
WUF11 is happening at a pivotal time, as cities address the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemics, climate emergencies and conflict.
Making cities more inclusive must be part of the post-pandemic recovery effort, UN Secretary General António Guterres said in the comment to the event.
“Cities are at the heart of almost every challenge we face – and essential to building a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient future.. They have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, “head of the United Nations speak in a video message.
“When we look forward to recovery, push more Synchronized, gender-responsive urban infrastructure and services will be important to give everyone – especially young people, women and girls – access to a better future. “
Cities leading in climate
Mr. Guterres also highlighted the other important role cities play around the world. They must take the lead in action to keep global temperatures from rising by 1.5 degrees, in line with Paris Agreement on climate change,
More and more cities around the world are committing to a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 or before.
The sooner these commitments are translated into concrete action, he said, the sooner countries achieve green job growth, better health and equality.
“But cities can’t do it alone,” he insisted. “They need support more coordination from all levels of government; stronger partnerships with the private sector and civil society; and greater fiscal and policy space to scale solutions. “
Potential exploitation
The Secretary-General emphasized the UN’s commitment to helping countries achieve their common goal of green, equitable and healthy cities.
“We have blueprints for progress,” he said, referring to New Urban Program, a 2016 framework to promote sustainable urbanization; happenning Decade of action for sustainable development goals (SDGs), as well as 2030 Local Unioncollaboration between the United Nations and government leaders to advance the SDGs.
“Let us harness the transformative potential of urbanization and construction a more sustainable, resilient and inclusive future for all. “
The World Urban Forum was established in 2001 and is convened every 6 months by UN-Habitatofficially known as the Unified Human Settlement Program, working for a better urban future.
With just eight years left to make cities safer, more resilient and more inclusive, our goal SDG 11, urban areas around the world have been under a lot of pressure.
‘The Triple C Crisis’
The tension will only attach to every area is expected to become more urbanizedsome at extremely fast speeds.
The global urban population is expected to grow from 56% last year to almost 70% by the middle of this century, accounting for another 2.2 billion, mainly in Africa and the Middle East.
“While the current reality is certainly very difficult, we must maintain our focus and double our efforts on sustainability,” speak Maimunah Mohd SharifExecutive Director UN-Habitat.
She added: “We urgently need innovative solutions for urban areas to respond to this COVID crisis, climate and triple C conflicts, which are having a devastating impact on cities. , leaving people and places behind”.
© UNICEF / Siegfried Modola
Children wait on a train in Ukraine for evacuation to Poland in early April 2022.
Special focus on Ukraine
The UN Forum is the leading global conference on sustainable urbanization, and this is the first time it has been held in Eastern Europe. Poland is proud to play host.
“This is an area that has come a long way – from the communist regime, which has little regard for human life, let alone,” said Grzegorz Puda, Minister of Regional Policy and Development Funds. its quality, to democratic governments acting in the common good. .
More than 800 government officials and representatives, including more than 50 ministers and deputy ministers, will attend the Forum co-organized by the Government of Poland and the city of Katowice.
The program has been significantly revised to reflect the conflict in neighboring Ukraine, UN-Habitat said. More than three million Ukrainians have taken refuge in Poland since the war began four months ago. In his speech, the UN Secretary-General expressed his gratitude to the country “extraordinary unity” with Ukrainian refugees.
The Polish government will lead a special session focusing on the reconstruction of urban spaces and the return of the population after the crisis and after the disaster.
“We must also remember all those who are facing crises in countries affected by wars and disasters, such as Ukraine. Against this backdrop, we decided to include the theme of rebuilding cities after the crisis in the WUF11 program,” said Małgorzata Jarosińska-Jedyna, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Regional Policy and Development Funds.
Give up coal, embrace technology
Katowice, organization COP24 The United Nations climate conference four years ago, selected primarily for its successful transition from a hub of the coal and steel industries to a city based on technology, culture and innovation. to sue.
The forum will be the first major international meeting to be held here since the beginning of the pandemic. More than 16,000 people are expected at the city’s International Congress Center, built on the site of a former coal mine.
“Our city has undergone tremendous changes over the past two decades,” said Marcin Krupa, Mayor of Katowice.
The forum will conclude on Friday and the expected outcome is the Actions announced by Katowice, which will outline commitments and plans to support sustainable urbanization.
