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.
World Cities Day was established on 27 December 2013 by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution A/RES/68/239,[2] 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".[3] [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]
| Year | Sub-Theme | Venue | Host |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Youth leading climate and local action for cities[12] | TBC | |
| 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] | 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] | Aleksandr Vysokinskiy, Mayor of Ekaterinburg | |
| 2018 | Building Sustainable and Resilient Cities[18] | 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 |