The Joint Outcomes Statement, a ten-point strategy aimed at boosting local climate action, fostering multilevel collaboration, and accelerating local climate finance for an efficient and effective response to the climate crisis, was presented at COP28. The document summarizes the key outcomes from the Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change as well as the Local Climate Action Summit (LCAS).

Read the Joint Outcomes Statement

Building upon the success of the first-ever Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change at COP27, UN-Habitat co-hosted the second ministerial meeting alongside the COP28 presidency. This meeting underscored the importance of multilevel climate action to achieve the targets of the Paris Agreement and committed to accelerated climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience at the local level. A specific focus was set on how to accelerate local climate finance.

The second ministerial meeting fostered dialogue between ministers of housing, urban development, environment, and finance, as well as local and regional governments.

National frameworks play a vital role in ensuring that climate finance reaches cities and local governments. The ministerial meeting emphasized the importance of strong international commitments from national governments, supported by cities, the private sector, and other urban stakeholders. By establishing the right framework conditions, countries, cities, and companies – both those already at the forefront of climate action and those seeking to enhance their efforts – can accelerate their journey towards a sustainable, climate-resilient future.

Read the Summary Report

Watch the Ministerial Meeting

Open during the full duration of COP28, the Multilevel Action and Urbanization Pavilion provided a space for local, national, and international leaders to meet and exchange on the role of cities as climate action leaders. The Pavilion hosted in-person and hybrid events, in addition to a dedicated networking space for informal discussions.

The Pavilion served as the global stage for the city and subnational climate agenda and brought into focus not only the challenges and needs but also the accomplishments and commitments of local and subnational actors on climate action. 

The Pavilion was co-convened by UN-Habitat and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability in their role as focal point of the Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Constituency and was open to Blue Zone-registered attendees. Events were also livestreamed. 

For more information, read the press release announcing the Multilevel Action and Urbanization Pavilion.