With cities often determining the trajectory of global development, urban transformation is the key to a more sustainable world. The ICLEI World Congress is the moment for local and regional governments to come together to celebrate and recognise the invaluable contributions of cities, towns and regions towards our sustainable future.

This year is critical in so many ways. The devastating force of the coronavirus pandemic, paired with ongoing climate and biological crises, make it imperative that our local and regional governments continue to find ways to persevere in their sustainable development goals. Towards that goal, ICLEI and ICLEI Member Malmö (Sweden) are creating a year-long experience to bring together the ICLEI Network in spite of the pandemic.

ICLEI and the City of Malmö invite local and regional governments and their partners from around the world to participate in the ICLEI World Congress 2021-2022.

On 13-15 April 2021, we will connect virtually for high-level discussions on how local and regional governments can continue to advance on sustainable development together with ICLEI. Discussions will feature ICLEI Members that are leading sustainable urban development across the world, in sessions that explore:

• Shaping our Sustainable Future for All (13 April, 9:00–10:30 CEST)
• Equitably Shaping our Sustainable Future (13 April, 16:00–17:00 CEST)
• Following the Circular Development Pathway (14 April, 9:00–10:00 CEST)
• Engaging Cities & Rgions in the Global Nature Agenda (14 April, 16:00–17:00 CEST)
• Resilient Development and Risk Management for a Sustainable Urban Future (15 April, 9:00–10:00 CEST)
• Towards Low Emission and Climate Neutral Development for a Sustainable Urban Future (15 April, 16:00-17:30 CEST)

Throughout the rest of 2021, we will explore critical topics in sustainable urban development in a virtual event series, building our momentum to 2022.

We will then gather in person for the Malmö Summit, on 11-13 May 2022 – as far as the global health crisis permits – to exchange with and inspire one another regarding best practices in local sustainable development, and to learn firsthand from the City of Malmö’s wealth of sustainability initiatives. The event will build on themes explored in 2021.