WUF 11: Cities to play a lead role in climate action

NEW DELHI: Antonio Guterres, Secretary General, United Nations (UN), while addressing the 11^th edition of World Urban Forum 2022, has stressed the role of cities in global climate action and building an inclusive, sustainable and climate resilient future. WUF is a global conference that focuses on urbanisation around the world. It is a biennial conference which is being organised by the United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat), from June 26 to June 30. At the event, participants from around the globe will come together to discuss the challenges before the modern cities. This year the conference is observing the theme ‘Transforming our cities for a better urban future’.

Guterres addressed the participants in the form of a video message, which was played at the 11^th World Urban Forum (WUF) 2022, being held in Katowice, Southern Poland. Antonio Guterres, in the conference, highlighted that the cities “must also be leaders of climate action to keep the 1.5 degree Celsius goal within reach”.

Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Executive Director, United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), regarding the conference, said, “The World Urban Forum is a unique platform where we can share comfortable truths about our urbanising world.”

While addressing the forum, she added that nearly “156 countries developed urban policies and 74 are in the implementation stage.” She later added, “188 water operator partnership alliance, for improving service delivery have been formed” and “200 cities are part of sustainable municipal waste management.”