Founded in 2018, the Urban 20 (U20) is a city diplomacy platform that brings together 38 cities from G20 member countries, with the goal of fostering debate and creating policy recommendations for G20 leaders on issues such as the economy, climate, and sustainable urban development.
The U20 initiative is convened on a permanent basis by C40 Cities—a global network of mayors—and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), under the leadership of one or two host cities, which change each year.
In 2024, an additional 10 observer cities and over 50 partner institutions, including Google, FGV, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and the IDB, join the cycle.
Learn more at https://www.urban20.org/
Under Brazil's G20 presidency in 2024, the U20 is co-chaired by Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, which will host two mayoral meetings during the cycle. Following the first gathering in São Paulo in June—where urban challenges and local perspectives on G20 priorities were discussed, including the preliminary drafting of the communiqué—the summit in Rio this November will finalize the document with cities’ recommendations for G20 leaders.
From November 14th to 16th, Rio de Janeiro will host the U20 Rio Summit at Armazém da Utopia, in the city’s port area, bringing together mayors and delegations from around the world. Uniquely in the G20, this mayors' summit will take place just before the heads of state meet in Rio on November 18.
Another new feature of the event is its simultaneous occurrence with the G20 Social (November 14-16), a pioneering initiative by G20 Brazil that will foster discussions among social movements, civil society leaders, and local government representatives, alongside cultural presentations, lectures, and open-air fairs in Rio’s port area.
From November 14th to 16th, the U20 Rio Summit will feature public sessions, held in collaboration with partner organizations.
On the final day, November 17th, the mayors' plenary will take place, a closed meeting during which the U20 final communiqué will be released, presenting the cities' main recommendations and commitments for the 2024 G20.
In alignment with the G20 priorities set by the Brazilian government, the main themes for the 2024 edition of the U20 are:
● Social inclusion and combating hunger and poverty
● Energy transition and tackling climate change
● Reform of global governance institutions
● Multi-level partnerships for climate action
● Reform of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs)
● Just climate transition and the creation of green jobs
● Financing for urban resilience
