GANDHINAGAR, Gujarat: The two-day Mayoral Summit organised as part of the U20 framework concluded in the capital city of Gujarat-Gandhinagar. The summit organised by Ahmedabad, the U20 chair, records the participation of representatives from 105 cities who approved the communiqué forwarded to the G20 leaders ahead of the G20 Leader’s Summit in New Delhi.
This year’s U20 communiqué has been endorsed by twice the number of city representatives recorded for any previous communiqué.
U20 communiqué has been framed around six priority areas, discussed in various events organised as part of the U20 framework. These six priority areas include (i) encouraging environmentally responsible behaviours; (ii) accelerating climate finance; (iii) championing local culture and economy; (iv) ensuring water security; (v) catalysing digital urban futures and; (vi) reinventing frameworks for urban planning and governance.
Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs, addressed the gathering where he said, “Cities are going to be central to achieving various global goals related to sustainability, inclusivity and climate resilience.”
Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa also addressed the handover session, where he highlighted the importance of cities in realisation of the dream of a sustainable and prosperous future, especially when one-third of the world is under the grip of recession and climate change.