Urbanization is accelerating and putting additional pressure on our cities to be sustainable, resilient, just, and thriving.

By 2050, more than 70 percent of the world’s population will live in cities, according to the UN-Habitat World Cities Report 2022. Cities are also the backbone of the world’s economy, responsible for more than 70 percent of the GDP. Hence, it is essential to develop urban spaces that contribute to economies, protect biodiversity, and maintain the well-being of residents.

The world has a roadmap to sustainable development – the 2030 Development Agenda with 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda. But today, it needs political will and action to realize the full potential of sustainable development.

Multilateral and broad-based partnerships play a crucial role in local action and achieving the SDGs to resolve many current challenges. This year, the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos focused on the need for cooperation in our fragmented world.

The World Economic Forum provides a unique platform for global leaders – businesses, governments, and civil society – to come together and work towards joint solutions. UN-Habitat takes part in these meetings to bring the issue of sustainable urban development to the political agenda.

Now is the time to reembrace global solidarity and find new ways of working together for the common good. The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said in his speech at Davos, “There are no perfect solutions in a perfect storm. But we can work to control damage and seize the opportunities available. Now more than ever, it’s time to forge the pathways to cooperation in our fragmented world.”

We must take urgent action on climate change in our cities and manage our urban environments to protect biodiversity and avoid pollution. This is also the time to renew the social contract in our societies and deliver better public services to all people, leaving no one behind.

UN-Habitat encourages governments and the private sector to seize this moment to re-engage with the New Urban Agenda and deliver its commitments. At a time of health emergencies, climate crises, and conflicts, it offers a pathway toward sustainable development.

To learn more about the New Urban Agenda, visit our online platform.