U20 Mayoral Summit kicks off, to discuss best practices for sustainable development

Ahmedabad: A two-day Urban20 Mayoral Summit kicked off on Friday during which delegates will discuss the best practices for sustainable development.

Speaking at the summit's opening ceremony here, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said urbanisation should be designed in such a way where there is a solution to problems pertaining to climate change, public service and traffic, among others.

Union Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary Manoj Joshi said urbanisation in India is passing through at a very rapid pace.

According to the ministry, around 500 delegates are taking part in the Urban20 (U20) summit, facilitating discussions among cities from G20 countries.

The U20 establishes a platform for cities to collectively inform G20 negotiations with respect to urban priorities, an official said.

Eighty mayors from Indian and foreign cities will engage during closed-door sessions to further deliberate on the U20's priorities and sustainability agenda for the cities.

"With over 500 participants, including mayors, deputy mayors, and city officials, besides government delegates and knowledge partners, this is poised to become one of the largest U20 summits ever," Ministry Joint Secretary Kunal Kumar said.

The event will also host an exhibition showcasing India's urban story, especially city-level successes, notable projects and innovative initiatives. There will also be a screening of select films to help raise awareness about the multifaceted impacts of climate change on urban areas and vice versa.

Thematic sessions on the six U20 priority areas will be organised during the summit. The U20 priority areas echo the emphasis G20 is laying on environmental responsibility, climate finance and cities of the future.

The six priorities under the U20 include encouraging environmentally responsible behaviours, accelerating climate finance, ensuring water security, promoting local culture and economy, reinventing frameworks for urban governance and planning, and catalysing digital urban futures.

The thematic sessions will include talks and presentations by mayors or equivalent city leaders from Tokyo, Riyadh, Paris, Surat, Srinagar, Amman, Los Angeles, New York City, Katowice, Rio de Janeiro, Dubai, Indore, Kitchener, London, Montevideo, Johannesburg, Kochi and Durban, among others.