ICLEI, its Members and partners will come together at the end of this month for the 11th edition of the United Nations’ World Urban Forum (WUF11). This leading global conference on sustainable urbanisation is coming to Europe, and will be hosted by ICLEI Member Katowice (Poland) from 26-30 June 2022.
Under the theme Transforming our Cities for a Better Urban Future, this year’s WUF will generate insights and clarity on the future of cities based on existing trends, challenges and opportunities, while also proposing ways cities can be better prepared to address future pandemics and other shocks.
Find a list of networking sessions and training events organised by ICLEI and its partners below, presented in chronological order.
Be sure to join us at WUF11! Both online and in-person participation is possible, and in all cases registration is free of charge. Registration is open until 22 June 2022: click here to register.
National Urban Policies for Climate Neutrality 27 June, 12:15–13:45 CEST, European Track Room
Organised by ICLEI Europe partner the European Urban Knowledge Network (EUKN), this session will critically examine the concept of climate neutrality. Speakers will furthermore investigate the role that National Urban Policies (NUPs) can play in fostering green urban transition in Europe, as well as in supporting local, national and international projects that advance climate-neutrality.
Using data for inclusive environmental action, 27 June, 16:00–17:30 CEST, ICC Multifunction Hall Room 14
This session will open a debate on the need for cities to invest in data-driven approaches and technological developments that put citizens at the centre of integrated environmental and climate solutions. ICLEI Member Warsaw (Poland) will be joined by key stakeholders such as DUH (Berlin, Germary), Google, and Ambiens (Curitiba, Brazil) to share their experiences adopting technologies and turning data into actionable insights – as well as implemented projects – that improve local environmental quality and bring about just transition. ICLEI and Google will present results of the ICLEI Action Fund and will invite cities and not-for-profit organisations to apply for a second call for data-driven projects.
Unleashing the transformative power of cities" for an equitable world, 28 June, 11:00-11:45 CEST, German Pavilion and online
This event is organised by the Association of German Cities (Deutscher Staedtetag), the Global Parliament of Mayors and ICLEI, in cooperation with Engagement Global, Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development. It will take place at the German Pavilion in a hybrid format. At this event, representatives of the U7 will present their vision at the World Urban Forum after adopting a powerful U7 Mayors Declaration in May 2022. Speakers will discuss the importance of urban diplomacy for all levels of government and address how the global governance system must transform.
Accelerating the Implementation of SDG7 Through Energy Access, 28 June, 11:30–13:00 CEST, Hall 2.1, Stand #7 GCoM Booth and livestreamed
As part of the events hosted at the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, ICLEI organises this session focusing on the challenges to achieve the SDG 7 goals by 2030. There is an urgent need to ensure energy access and alleviate energy poverty in the world, and at the same time drastically reduce GHG emissions. A renewables-based energy transition is the clear and proven cornerstone for accelerating climate action to support the global quest for universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy by 2030. To support national governments’ efforts to achieve SDG7 by 2030, local and regional governments (LRGs) now have an even bigger and more integral role to play in the renewable energy transition.
Building back better cities with Circular Jobs, 28 June, 12:30-14:00 CEST, ICC Multifunction Hall Room 5
Falling under the dialogue of “Future urban economy and finance”, this networking event organised by Circle Economy will showcase the importance of considering circular economy interventions at the local level for building back better. It will demonstrate that focusing on people and their skills is an essential lever for transforming our urban economies from linear to circular, ensuring prosperity, resilience, and social equity.
Ensuring equitable and inclusive urban transformations leaving nobody behind: the role of science-policy-society cooperation, 28 June, 13:30–15:00 CEST, European Track Room
This European Track event, organised by ICLEI Europe partner JPI Urban Europe, will highlight the relevance of researchers, NGOs, and civil society (organisations) to achieve global and European goals. Reaching targets will depend not only on creating new (technological) solutions, but also on building capacity, and co-creating processes with local implementers. Participants will examine novel science-policy-business-society exchange models that can help ensure equitable, just and inclusive urban transformations.
Transforming Our Cities through Integrated Governance Systems, 29 June, 12:30–14:00 CEST, ICC Multifunction Hall Room 18
Efforts to transform our cities for a better urban future require a challenging combination of integrated and localised governance systems. ICLEI Europe, its Members, and other expert stakeholders have pioneered a number of innovative governance approaches, including Local Green Deals, resilience planning, equity frameworks, and planning tools to help cities roll-out equitable climate action. Learn from ICLEI Members Mannheim (Germany), Katowice (Poland), Izmir (Turkey - tbc), and Thessaloniki (Greece - tbc), all of whom are testing these innovative approaches.
Building sustainable, secure and resilient energy systems at scale through local action, 29 June, 14:30–16:00 CEST, ICC Multifunction Hall Room 14
The session will showcase and bring together the experiences of cities, local businesses and communities in transforming the energy system using innovative and sustainable local solutions. It will present gaps, challenges, and replicable solutions to support sustainable energy action planning on the ground. Speakers will discuss technologies and other solutions that accelerate energy access and increase resilience to climate change.
Designing equitable sustainability programs: local tools for a fair and inclusive transition, 30 June, 9:00–11:45 CEST, ICC Multifunction Hall Room 12
This ICLEI-led training will equip city practitioners with: (i) a thorough understanding of the social risks and opportunities associated with local sustainability and circular economy programmes and initiatives; (ii) a methodology to map and assess the social equity impacts of sustainability and circular economy programmes with respect to access, participation and opportunity; (iii) concrete tools and policy recommendations to maximise social equity benefits of such programmes; (iv) good practice examples from peer cities to inspire application in practice; and (v) recommendations on how to monitor social impacts over time and in a holistic manner.
Nature-based solutions for sustainable urban development, 30 June, 9:00–10:30 CEST, ICC Voices from Cities Room A
This session will highlight “Voices from Cities”. Organised by the NetworkNature project, it will focus on how cities have harnessed the power of nature to create more sustainable and inclusive urban areas. It will showcase, in an interactive manner, examples from pioneering cities to explore the process of designing and implementing nature-based solutions to achieve environmental, social and economic benefits.
Climate Governance and Disclosure in Cities: Effectively assessing climate risks and opportunities, 30 June, 14:00–15:30 CEST, ICC Multifunction Hall Room 12
This session will highlight the importance of risk assessment, climate governance and disclosure processes in cities. It will explore how actors like the EBRD, ICLEI, UNDRR and BDO are supporting such processes, and will highlight the experience of ICLEI Member Warsaw (Poland) in mainstreaming climate governance and disclosure in their overall city strategy. The EBRD will furthermore present their Green Cities Programme and new Corporate Climate Governance Client Support Facility, through which organisations – including municipal governments and public utilities – will be eligible to receive advisory services and support from instutions like ICLEI and BDO on how to internalise and report information about climate change.
For more information on the 11th World Urban Forum, to preview other sessions and great networking opportunities, and to register click here.