Expression of Interest in hosting the Global Observance of World Cities Day for 2023 and for 2024

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About the Organization

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat is the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system.

UN-Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. UN-Habitat promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty.

Our mission -

UN-Habitat works in over 90 countries to promote transformative change in cities and human settlements through knowledge, policy advice, technical assistance and collaborative action.

UN-Habitat’s strategic plan 2020-2023 adopts a more strategic and integrated approach to solving the challenges and opportunities of twenty-first century cities and other human settlements. UN-Habitat’s mission embodies the four main roles of the organization, which can be summarized as: think, do, share, and partner.

About the EOI  

UN-Habitat is inviting cities to express their interest in hosting the Global Observance of World Cities Day for 2023 and for 2024.

World Cities Day was established on 27 December 2013 by General Assembly resolution A/RES/68/239, 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 and stresses that the costs of all activities that may arise from observing the Day should be met from voluntary contributions”.

World Cities Day is an annual occasion to promote and inspire action around sustainable urbanization by advancing international cooperation, celebrating successes, maximizing the opportunities and addressing the challenges created by the fast global pace of urbanization. in innovation, technology and investment among others and to address challenges of urbanization such as housing, climate change, equitable access to basic services, security, and decent jobs.

The enduring theme of World Cities Day is Better City, Better Life. Each year a different focus topic is chosen and a a host city for the global observance is selected.

The first global celebration of the World Cities Day was in Shanghai, China on 31 October 2014, with the topic Leading Urban Transformations. In 2015 the topic was Designed to Live Together in Milan, Italy; in 2016 it was Inclusive Cities, Shared Development in Quito, Ecuador; in 2017 Innovative Governance, Open Cities in Guangzhou, China; in 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom with the topic Building Sustainable and Resilient Cities, in 2019 it focused on Innovations and Better Life for Future Generations celebrated in Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation; in 2020 Nakuru, Kenya on Valuing our Communities and Cities, in 2021 on the topic Adapting Cities for Climate Resilience in Luxor, Egypt and in 2022 focused on Act Local to Go Global in Shanghai, China. 

World Cities Day has been strongly supported by the People’s Republic of China through the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and the Shanghai Municipality.

UN-Habitat is inviting cities to express their interest in hosting the Global Observance of World Cities Day on Tuesday, 31 October 2023 and the Global Observance of World Cities Day on Thursday, 31 October 2024.

Theme -

The general theme of World Cities Day is Better City, Better Life.

The topic of World Cities Day 2023 will be linked to Financing sustainable urban future for all. It will explore how we can unlock transformative investment in urban planning and achieve adequate fiscal decentralization. Many cities and local governments continue to be restrained in their capacity to borrow money and raise revenue for large projects.

The topic of World Cities Day 2024 will be linked to Youth leading climate and local action for cities. Young people advocate for bolder steps and actions to tackle climate crisis in our cities. Young people advocate for bolder steps and actions to tackle climate crisis in our cities. It will draw attention on how we can capture these bold ideas and ambitious targets and turn them into achievements.

Activities -

Activities related to the Global Observance will be developed in line with available human and financial resources from the voluntary contribution by the host. A programme will be jointly developed with the host. UN-Habitat will provide branded online advocacy tools and kits to support mobilization of partners and maximize outreach. Details of planned World Cities Day activities taking place around the world will be uploaded by UN-Habitat on its website and social media sites and the host and partners will be encouraged to publicize their activities widely.

Objective

World Cities Day aims to raise international awareness of urbanization trends, challenges and visions for sustainable urban development, promote international cooperation and contribute to global efforts to build equitable, prosperous, sustainable inclusive cities that provide their communities with better living environments and quality of life.

Eligibility

UN-Habitat takes the lead in inviting and mobilizing the United Nations system, international organizations, civil society and other relevant stakeholders to observe World Cities Day.

The host city and country of the Global Observance work with partners and UN-Habitat to organize the main event programme. The host may invite other stakeholders in the country and region such as Ministers and Mayors to take part and support the Global Observance. The general public in the city, country and globally will be encouraged to get involved including through global platforms including social media and live streaming.

The host provides a financial contribution to UN-Habitat for the mobilization of the international community and other stakeholders to ensure that the event receives global visibility.

Details on commitments, roles and responsibilities of UN-Habitat and the host, will be outlined in a contribution agreement which will be signed by all parties involved.

Financial contribution -

To hold the Global Observance of World Cities Day in either 2023 or 2024, the host is required to provide a cash contribution of USD 350,000 (United States Dollars Three Hundred Fifty Thousand) to UN-Habitat.

The contribution is used for planning, mobilizing stakeholders, outreach activities, website, social media, design, communication, editing, programme development, operations support, live streaming on UN Web TV, reporting and evaluation as well as for the participation of UN-Habitat and other UN staff, international experts and high-level guest and delegates from least developed countries.  Ultimately it supports the overall advocacy and communication of World Cities Day within the framework of Urban October.

Additionally, the host city is required to provide an in-kind contribution of the venue with its facilities; exhibition space; IT and other services; security within the city, around and within the venue; interpretation from English to the local language of other languages of high-level speakers; operational and logistical needs with respective human resources

How to Apply

​The closing date for receiving the Expression of Interest to host World Cities Day 2023 and 2024 is 31 January 2023.

A city or country wishing to express its interest to officially host the Global Observance of World Cities Day either  in 2023 or 2024 is required to send an official communication on an organizational letterhead and with an authorized signature, highlighting its capacity in the areas outlined in the selection criteria and indicating its commitment to provide a financial contribution of USD 350,000 (United States Dollars Three Hundred Fifty Thousand) to UN-Habitat, addressed to the UN-Habitat Executive Director, Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif.

The official communication is to be transmitted within the deadline via the following email address: unhabitat-wcd@un.org.

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Tags Smart City and Urban Issues Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Others