Webinar: Shaping our City Stories - how SDGs can be used strategically by cities

Edited on 26/04/2024

In this webinar, we will explore how SDGs can be used strategically by cities to foster holistic sustainability, regardless of their starting point. We will learn about the support provided by UN-Habitat and the URBACT programme to cities around Europe and the world, and hear real testimonials from cities about how they are tackling sustainable urban development. We will also discuss how the role of local governments can be further strengthened by listening to cities’ experiences. 

Open to a wider public

Online

23 May 2024

Organiser

URBACT Network

Through this 90-minute session, participants will learn more about some of the networks and flagship programmes in Europe and the world supporting SDG work in cities, and how to be part of the strategic dialogue.


Programme

 

11:00-11:05     Opening words. Stina Heikkilä, Cities for Sustainability Goverannce Lead Expert.

 

11:05-11:20      UN-Habitat: global perspective on SDGs in cities. Martino Miraglia, Coordinator, SDG Localization and Local Governments Team and SDG Cities Flagship.

 

11:20-11:45      City perspectives from the Cities for Sustainability Governance network. Hélder Costa, Presidential Support Office at the Braga City Hall, Portugal. Vasilis Zacharias, Deputy Mayor, Agios Dimitrios, Greece.  

 

11:45-12:00      URBACT: perspectives from European networks of cities. Margit Tuennemann, Senior Policy Officer, URBACT Secretariat.

 

12:00-12:20      Panel discussion. Where do we go from here? Which opportunities do we have to work together? 

 

12:20-12:30      Closing and next steps. Ville Taajamaa, Cities for Sustainability Goverannce Lead Partner Coordinator, City of Espoo, Finland.

 



About the organisers of the webinar 

 

Since June 2023, the Cities for Sustainability Governance (CSG) network brings together cities working on holistic sustainability, as well as the organisations supporting them in this endeavour.  As a new generation URBACT network, CSG builds on the efforts started in 2021 with the largest European network yet working on SDGs: Global Goals for Cities. With close links to other networks like Eurocities’ SDG taskforce and Eurotowns’ SDG Task Team, the strategic dialogue that CSG aims to build has a wide reach and representation across the European continent. For the nine core partners of the CSG network, one may suggest that it represent the EU in “miniature”.  Find out more about the CSG network here.

 

UN-Habitat, as the UN body responsible for the New Urban Agenda, is the most prominent organisation in the UN system supporting cities in achieving sustainable urban development and localising the SDGs. Through flagship programmes like SDG Cities, UN-Habitat is providing a platform for cities to gradually strengthen how they tackle the SDGs. UN-Habitat operates in 90 countries and is supporting localization efforts in over 15 countries, including Voluntary Local Review (VLRs). It supports cities worldwide through innovative research, guidance, technical assistance and capacity building. UN-Habitat also supports the engagement of local governments in high-level SDG conferences, and other advocacy networks, including the Local2030 Coalition and the SDG Cities Global Network. Learn more about the work of UN-Habitat on SDG localization here.

Webinar featuring

 

 


Read more about the event series here.