Urban-20 meet begins in Ahmedabad

AHMEDABAD — In Ahmedabad, the two days Urban-20 (U-20) meet has begun which has the participation of delegations from as many as 33 international cities. The goal of the meeting is to offer perspectives, ideas, and concerns from cities to enhance and inform the overall negotiations of the bigger forum of G20, while the Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation and Joint Commissioner Planning is part of the meeting.

Union Minister Hardeep S Puri, according to the news agency KDC, while addressing the U-20 Inception meeting highlighted the potential for global peer learning and creating a bold, visionary roadmap for G20 countries.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said, “Urban-20 is an initiative for G20 cities to tackle current urban issues and find solutions to create inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities.”

Srinagar Mayor, Mr Junaid Azim Mattu and Joint Commissioner Planning SMC, Ghulam Hassan are also present in the U-20 Conclave organized by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.

Ahmedabad, being a fast-paced metropolitan city in the country, is chairing the 6th edition of U-20 this year. U20 is an engagement group under G20 and a city diplomacy initiative, comprising cities from G20 countries. It is bringing together mayors of leading cities in the G20.

The itinerary for the delegates incorporates a visit to the Adalaj Step Well, a networking dinner, an excursion to Sabarmati Ashram and Atal Bridge, Sabarmati Riverfront, a gala cuisine, cultural programmes, a Plenary Session with Gujarat CM and an address on ‘G20 – Call for Action’.

There would also be a session on ‘U-20 2023 Cycle: Context Setting’ with presentations by Ahmedabad’s and Jakarta’s Sherpas (representatives), besides other discussions and sessions.

The meeting is expected to expedite a productive dialogue between national and local governments, discuss major urban development issues in the G20 agenda, converse about crucial issues of climate change, promotion of social inclusion, provision of affordable housing, and emphasize on coming up with collective solutions.

The overall aim is to promote solidarity in the cities and discuss vital urban development concerns. Taking the sustainable development agenda forward is also one objective. Standing in sync with India’s G20 theme of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, the U-20 meet will be focussing on actions at the city level that can engender positive global outcomes.

The emerging outcomes from the meeting will culminate in the U-20 Mayors Summit coming up in July 2023.