Team Blitz India
AHMEDABAD: The U20, or Urban 20, Mayoral Summit held here last week, aimed at fostering discussions on sustainable development, focusing on the role of cities in driving positive global outcomes.
It was inaugurated by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel and Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Kaushal Kishore.
Speaking of Gujarat’s rich history of urbanisation dating back to the Indus Valley civilisation, Patel highlighted the forward-looking urban initiatives being implemented in the state.
Kishore shared some of the key policies and programmes initiated by the Government of India to promote green development, including the LIFE mission, promotion of renewable energy, policies on e-mobility and missions like Housing for All, Swachh Bharat Mission etc.
City grouping
U20 is a city diplomacy initiative, comprising cities from G20 countries. It strives to establish a lasting practice of engagement among cities to develop a collective message that emphasises the role of cities in taking forward the sustainable development agenda.
The U20 engagement group plays a vital role in contributing perspectives, concerns, and ideas from cities to inform and enrich the overall G20 negotiations.
The U20 was instituted in 2017 under the leadership of Mayors of Buenos Aires and Paris to bring together city representatives and leaders from U20 cities to deliberate on specific concerns of cities. The six priority areas identified by U20 are encouraging environmentally responsible behaviour; ensuring water security; accelerating climate finance; championing ‘local’ identity; reinventing frameworks for urban governance and planning and catalysing digital urban futures.
Inclusivity agreement
In Ahmedabad, Mayors and leaders from 105 cities endorsed the U20 communique, showcasing their dedication to building resilient and inclusive urban futures.
The communique highlighted the need for collaboration between cities and G20 national governments. It called upon the G20 national governments to support the leadership of cities and collaborate with them in achieving safe, resilient, and just urban societies.
It emphasised the importance of equitable and affordable transitions towards inclusive development, while also acknowledging the commitment to halve global emissions by 2030 and prevent global temperatures from rising above 1.5°C.
Stress on peace
The U20 collective called for peaceful resolution of conflicts through political dialogue and mediation. The Communique emphasised the importance of strengthening a culture of peace, timely humanitarian response, and respect for democracy and human rights.
During a press conference postsummit, G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant praised the turnout at the U20 Ahmedabad meeting, making it the most attended Urban 20 event so far.
