Saitama City brings the G7 to COP29

Saitama City brings the G7 to COP29

ByAriel Dekovic

Despite cities being home to the majority of G7 citizens, local governments are not yet systematically consulted by national governments on critical decisions affecting their communities. The Urban7 (U7) is seeking to change that within the G7 group of countries.

Local government representation in international fora doesn’t end with the United Nations agendas, such as the Climate COPs. Local and regional governments are advocating for representation – especially with regards to sustainable development objectives – on multiple fronts, including the G7, G20 and other multilateral platforms. 

The Summit of the Future: Connecting the future of multilateralism and urban sustainability

The Summit of the Future: Connecting the future of multilateralism and urban sustainability

ByAriel Dekovic

The Summit of the Future (SoF) begins on 22 September at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York. The Summit is an initiative of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (pictured above; photo credit Kiara Worth / UNFCCC) to improve the UN system and strengthen multilateralism. The high-level event brings world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how we deliver a better present and safeguard the future.

Anna Reynolds, Lord Mayor of Hobart, Australia, on the special role of capital cities in combating climate change

Anna Reynolds, Lord Mayor of Hobart, Australia, on the special role of capital cities in combating climate change

ByAriel Dekovic

The capital cities are Australia’s best-known cities, and they are the economic engines of the country, so they have an important role to play in tackling climate change and working with the national government, the Lord Mayor from Hobart related in a recent interview.