NEW DELHI: Urban 20 (U20) was founded in 2017 to draw attention to urban issues. It brings together mayors from significant G20 cities and serves as a forum for national leaders to debate important issues. The aim of the U20 is to increase visibility of urban issues on G20 agenda and bring the urban voice to the international platform.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage city of Ahmedabad will host the U20 cycle when India has the G20 chair. Ahmedabad will host a number of events including the City Sherpas’ inaugural meeting on February 9 to 10, 2023, thematic discussions and side events on urban development issues, and the U20 Mayors’ Summit in July 2023. These events will be organised alongside C40 (Climate 40) and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), two international non-governmental advocacy groups on urban issues.
Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel had stated “U20 is a novel concept that emphasizes urban development. This cycle will serve as a forum for dialogue and coordinated action for leaders from all over the world.”
Cities account for about 75 per cent of global energy consumption, 75 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, and they directly experience the effects of climate change.
Urban-20 (U20), one of the G20 Engagement Groups, offers a forum for cities from G20 nations to facilitate discussions on various important issues of urban development, including climate change, social inclusion, sustainable mobility, affordable housing, and financing of urban infrastructure, and propose collective solutions.
This city diplomacy project serves to advance the significance of urban development concerns in the G20 agenda and fosters fruitful communication between the national and local governments.
The U20 intends to create a forum for cities to build a common voice and viewpoint to inform G20 negotiations, increase the profile of urban concerns on the G20 agenda, and facilitate long-term engagement between the G20 and cities.
Kunal Kumar, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, spoke exclusively to DD India about why city planning is so important to a global effort like the G20.
He reportedly stated, as quoted by a media outlet, “If you look at significant change drivers in the approaching future, it’s probably going to be urbanisation, where we utilise energy, and climate change. In the future, nations like India will experience the majority of urbanisation. At this moment, India ought to be in charge of the U20 agenda because nations like India ought to take the lead in the global push to urbanise over the coming decades.”
The U20 will seek to put into effect significant policies and make investments in order to carry out the global 2030 agenda while India holds the presidency. India, with proper planning, may establish a new balance template.
For example, in order to meet the Paris Agreement’s new Urban Agenda and 2030 Agenda, India can increase direct investment in areas such as sustainable energy and mobility transition.
Most importantly, U20 2023 can highlight how crucial local and regional participation is in integrating perspectives at national and sub-national government organisations as the way forward.