World Cities Day
World Cities Day is an annual United Nations observance day held on 31 October.[1] The global observance, first held in 2014, is organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in coordination with each year's selected host city.[2]
History
[edit]
World Cities Day was established on 27 December 2013 by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution A/RES/68/239,[3] in which the General Assembly "decides to designate 31 October, beginning in 2014, as World Cities Day, invites States, the United Nations system, in particular UN-Habitat, relevant international organizations, civil society and all relevant stakeholders to observe and raise awareness of the Day".[2][4] The first World Cities Day was held in October 2014.[5]
A legacy of Expo 2010 Shanghai China,[6][7] World Cities Day aims to promote the international community's interest in global urbanization, push forward cooperation among countries in meeting opportunities and addressing challenges of urbanization, and contributing to sustainable urban development around the world.[8] The observance day ties in with Sustainable Development Goal 11, to make cities "inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable".[9]
The general theme of World Cities Day is Better City, Better Life, while each year a different sub-theme and a location for its global observance is selected, to either promote successes of urbanization, or address specific challenges resulting from urbanization.[10][11]
Previous World Cities Days
[edit]| Year | Sub-Theme | Venue | Host |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Youth leading climate and local action for cities[12] | Alexandria, Egypt | H.E. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt |
| 2023 | Financing sustainable urban future for all[13] | Üsküdar, Turkey | Hilmi Türkmen, Mayor of Üsküdar |
| 2022 | Act Local to Go Global[14] | Shanghai, China | Ni Hong, Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of China |
| 2021 | Adapting Cities for Climate Resilience[15] | Luxor, Arab Republic of Egypt | H.E. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt |
| 2020 | Valuing our communities and cities[16] | Nakuru, Kenya | James Wainaina Macharia, representing the Government of the Republic of Kenya, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works |
| 2019 | Changing the world: innovations and better life for future generations[17] | Yekaterinburg, Russia | Aleksandr Vysokinskiy, Mayor of Ekaterinburg |
| 2018 | Building Sustainable and Resilient Cities[18][10] | Liverpool, United Kingdom | Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool |
| 2017 | Innovative Governance, Open Cities | Guangzhou, China | Wang Menghui, Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of China |
| 2016 | Inclusive Cities, Shared Development | Quito, Ecuador | Mauricio Rodas Espinel, Mayor of Quito |
| 2015 | Designed to live together | Milan, Italy | Giuliano Pisapia, Mayor of Milan |
| 2014 | Leading Urban Transformations[19] | Shanghai, China | Chen Zhenggao, former Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development |
References
[edit]- ^ "Africa: As Urbanisation Grows, Cities Unveil Sustainable Development Solutions". AllAfrica. Inter Press Service. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
- ^ a b Nations, United. "World Cities Day: 31 October". United Nations. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
- ^ "68/239. Implementation of the outcome of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) and strengthening of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)". United Nations. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
- ^ Otieno, Bonface (31 October 2019). "Kenya celebrates first World Cities Day". Business Daily Africa. Retrieved 2020-06-29.
- ^ Michael, Chris (31 October 2014). "The World Cities Day Challenge: so what is this thing anyway?". The Guardian.
- ^ Yang Jian (29 October 2020). "World Cities Day focusing on community work". SHINE.
- ^ Hou Liqiang (16 October 2020). "China to celebrate World Cities Day in Fuzhou". China Daily.
- ^ Harrouk, Christele (2 November 2020). "On World Cities Day UN-Habitat Releases 2020 Report on The Value of Sustainable Urbanization". ArchDaily.
- ^ "World Cities Day: Value communities, today and for the future". Modern Diplomacy. 31 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Liverpool to host 2018 World Cities Day". Liverpool Express. 12 June 2018. Retrieved 2020-06-29.
- ^ Panwar, Sanya (31 October 2018). "World Cities Day: 10 best cities around the world for young people". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
- ^ "World Cities Day 2024". urbanoctober. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
- ^ "World Cities Day 2023". urbanoctober. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
- ^ "World Cities Day 2022". urbanoctober. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
- ^ "World Cities Day 2021". urbanoctober. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
- ^ "World Cities Day 2020". urbanoctober. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
- ^ "As urbanization grows, cities unveil sustainable development solutions on World Day". UN News. 30 October 2019.
- ^ "Celebration of World Cities Day 2018". UNESCO. 5 October 2018. Retrieved 2020-06-17.
- ^ Clos, Joan (17 September 2014). "We need to develop a new urban agenda – let's start on World Cities Day". The Guardian. Retrieved 2020-06-29.
External links
[edit]- World Cities Day, UN-Habitat