As cities around the world continue to grow, they are increasingly home to a new wave of young leaders committed to addressing the pressing issues of climate change. Youth are at the forefront of local action and innovation, playing a catalytic role in shaping sustainable urban futures.
On 31 October 2024, UN-Habitat invites everyone committed to urban resilience and climate action to join the Global Observance of World Cities Day, under the theme “Youth climate changemakers: Catalysing local action for urban sustainability.” This year’s event, taking place in the historic city of Alexandria, Egypt, will highlight the leadership of young people in driving bold, transformative actions that contribute to building more sustainable and climate-resilient cities.
A call to action
World Cities Day 2024 is a call to action for youth and local governments to work hand-in-hand to address the climate crisis. With climate change intensifying urban challenges, particularly in rapidly growing cities, this year’s observance emphasizes the power of youth to lead in urban adaptation and climate resilience. By taking the lead, today’s youth can shape their cities to be inclusive, equitable, and environmentally sustainable for generations to come.
About World Cities Day
World Cities Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013 and is celebrated annually on 31 October. The day aims to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable urbanization and to encourage cooperation among nations, regions, and cities to address urban challenges. It also emphasizes the role of cities in fostering innovation, economic growth, and social inclusion.
Every year the world continues to get more and more crowded. While we’ve a tendency to pack ourselves into massive cities, and there are presently still long open stretches of countryside, every year that gets whittled away at more and more. The power and food needs of the world continue to place a greater and greater strain on our ability to meet them, and resources in general are becoming harder and harder to come by. World Population Day comes along each year to remind us that our present rate of population growth is unsustainable, and the present social and logistical issues we are experiencing to meet the demand of that population will only get worse if we don’t do something.