Outcomes of the 10th World Urban Forum
The 10th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF10) focused on the theme “Cities of Opportunities: Connecting Culture and Innovation” was held from 8-13 February 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
A session of the World Assembly of Local and Regional Governments, the mechanism agreed upon for the review and follow-up of the New Urban Agenda, was held during WUF 10. The World Assembly, convened by the Global Taskforce, gathered 50 speakers and considered: how urbanization shapes, and is shaped by, culture and innovation; how cities and regions can maximize tradition and modernity to achieve sustainable outcomes; and the role of technology in shaping a new future for cities and regions to achieve the global goals.
Local and regional governments highlighted the role of global partnerships and multilevel and collaborative action as well as called to keep the spirit of multilateralism alive to transform the model of governance. The dialogues that took place within the World Assembly contributed to shape the statement of the World Assembly of Local and Regional Governments, that called on national governments and the international community to join our constituency in securing the place of culture in sustainable development, placing people at the centre, and committed to continue consolidating the World Assembly as the representative mechanism for our constituency to provide inputs to the universal development agendas.
The Abu Dhabi Declared Actions was the main outcome document of the WUF10, presenting participants’ perspectives on the relationship between culture, innovation, and urban development. It brought together voluntary actions and commitments for the next two years and beyond by all stakeholder groups, including local and regional governments, in support of the NUA and SDGs.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres encouraged WUF10 delegates “to commit to ambitious actions to implement the New Urban Agenda. Together, let’s make sustainable urbanization a reality and ensure that no one and no place is left behind.”
For more information, visit the Global Taskforce and IISD coverages.
