Second Forum of Mayors 2022

The Second Forum of Mayors 2022 will discuss “Recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic while advancing the implementation of the SDGs” and consist of 4 sessions.

Session 1: Resilient, healthy and climate neutral buildings & affordable and adequate housing 
This session will focus on examples of how the built environment can make a difference in post-COVID-19 recovery. This could include how some municipalities have made their buildings more energy efficient and climate-neutral, but also how sustainable design has helped increase housing affordability and improve the quality of homes.

Session 2: Vibrant public spaces, greener cities, and nature-based solutions
This session will focus on nature-based solutions (NbS) in cities as well as on urban forests, urban agriculture, public spaces and biodiversity conservation in urban settings.  This includes their organization in support of youth, the elderly or other vulnerable segments of the population. In addition to connections to the SDGs, this part will refer to the UN Decade for Ecosystem Restoration, in which cities are key actors.

Session 3: Sustainable urban transport, shared mobility and safer roads
This session will focus on new ways to plan mobility in the city, presenting examples of increased bicycle-use and pedestrian paths, but also sharing economy and sustainable mobility, enhanced public transport and road safety. Smart city solutions for transport will also be included in this session.

Session 4: Sustainable urban planning, the 15-minute city and smart urban development solutions
This session will provide examples of successful city and neighbourhood planning, and all related dimensions. This will cover successful examples of service delivery, but also social interaction, access to facilities and good urban design.

Practical Information for Participants

Technical Guidance for Presentations/Visual Statements

THE GENEVA DECLARATION OF MAYORS (2020)

1) Share actions to inspire change:

On 4 April 2022, mayors from across the UNECE region will share concrete actions and innovative solutions on urban resilience, including the following topics: (i) Local responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, (ii) City actions to adapt, mitigate and respond to the effects of climate change, (iii) Local responses to natural hazards, and (iv) Medium-term and long-term resilience strategies in cities.

2) Support the Geneva Declaration of Mayors:

City leaders are encouraged to express their support for the Geneva Declarations of Mayors, the outcome document of the Forum of Mayors.

3) Showcase your activities:

Cities and organizations will have the chance to showcase their work on urban resilience at an exhibition at the Palais des Nations.

4) Have an impact on the political agenda:

The Forum will culminate in concrete recommendations by mayors which will feed into the decision-making process of the first part of the 83rd session of the Committee on Urban Development, Housing and Land Management, which will then be in a better position to draft and adopt tailored and targeted instructions for UNECE member States.