Every year the international negotiations on sustainable development aim to bring us globally closer to "the future we want." At last year’s Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development, a comprehensive outcome document of that title was adopted and subsequently endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly.

Whereas the Rio+20 Conference laid the foundation and charted the overall course for the desirable and needed policy action towards a more sustainable future, the challenges ahead lie in rapidly and effectively implementing the decisions taken by the national governments. As such, ICLEI is proud to be a cooperation partner of the High-level Dialogue on Implementing Rio+20 Decisions on Sustainable Cities and Urban Transport & 2013 Global Forum on Human Settlements, taking place 19-20 June 2013 in Berlin (Germany).

The main topics on the agenda will be urban (transport) planning and construction, sustainable transport operation and management, sustainable transport innovation policies and models, industry electric vehicles, sustainable city planning and design, sustainable construction, low-carbon tourism, renewable energy and smart grids.

A prestigious award will also be presented at the ceremony, rewarding the cities deemed to have done the most to support sustainable settlements. Awards will be given in a wide range of categories, from green mobility to green technology, to the most impressive residential area. The Global Green City Award application form is available to download below.

A range of interesting study visits in and around Berlin will complement the programme.

Speakers will include high-level officials of the UN and EU, mayors from Berlin and other famous cities, experts and scholars, representatives from international organizations, industry associations and enterprises, etc.