HISTORIC LAUNCH OF THE 8TH URBAN 20 (U20) CYCLE – JOHANNESBURG AND TSHWANE TAKE THE LEAD
The Co-Chairs of the Urban 20 (U20) Cycle, the Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane, Dr. Nasiphi Moya, and the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Dada Morero, are pleased to extend a formal invitation to members of the media to attend and cover the historic launch of the 8th cycle of the Urban 20 (U20). Hosted by the cities of Tshwane and Johannesburg, South Africa, this landmark event marks the first time African cities will lead this prestigious global initiative. Under the theme “Cities leading the way in reimagining Global Change,” the U20 will shape the agenda for the G20 Summit and advance urban priorities on the world stage.
The launch event will highlight the transformative role of cities in addressing pressing global challenges, including climate change, economic inequality, and social exclusion. The Urban 20 (U20) initiative, convened by C40 Cities and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), brings together over 50 global cities to develop policy recommendations and advocate for action on climate resilience, economic recovery, and social equity. The outcomes of this year’s U20 cycle will directly influence the G20 Summit in Johannesburg (November 2025), the UN World Social Summit in Doha, and COP30 in Belém, Brazil.
Why This Matters:
• This is the first time African cities are leading the U20, signaling a shift in global urban governance and the growing influence of the Global South.
• The U20 serves as a critical platform for cities to amplify their voices in global decision-making, particularly on issues such as sustainable financing, social inclusion, and climate action.
• The event will set the stage for the Sherpa Summit and African Mayors Assembly in Tshwane (10 – 12 June 2025) and the U20 Mayors Summit in Johannesburg (12–14 September 2025), where cities will finalise a unified message for world leaders.
