New York U20 concludes with calls for greater powers, finance and partnerships for cities to deliver on housing, climate and migration
- U20 Communiqué calls for mayors to be given greater powers and direct access to finance to deliver on housing, climate and migration
- Mayors reaffirm commitment to transition away from fossil fuels while protecting residents from volatile energy costs and worsening extreme weather
- Agreement brings cities representing more than 500 million people and one-third of global GDP behind a shared agenda for action
New York, USA (20 September 2026) – Mayors from around the world have agreed to an action plan to tackle rising costs, create good jobs and make communities safer, healthier and more resilient. Mayors from around the world called on G20 governments to give cities the powers and resources they need to deliver.
The 2026 Urban 20 (U20) Communiqué, ratified at the conclusion of the U20 Mayors Summit in New York, sets out joint action on three interconnected challenges facing cities and their residents: housing, climate change and migration. It calls for cities to have a stronger role in national and global decision-making and greater access to funding and finance to turn global commitments into practical improvements in people’s lives.
The agreement follows three days of talks led by U20 co-chairs New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, bringing together mayors and leaders from more than 35 G20 cities. Co-hosted by New York City and Los Angeles and convened by C40 Cities and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), the U20 brings together cities representing more than 500 million people and one-third of global GDP to ensure their priorities inform decisions taken by G20 national leaders.
The communiqué (link to full document in Notes to Editors below) sets out action across three priorities:
- Climate and energy: Accelerate a clean and just energy transition that can lower costs, create good jobs and improve health, while giving cities greater access to climate finance and the tools to protect residents from extreme heat, flooding, wildfire and other worsening climate impacts. Mayors call for better access to climate and health data to expand and accelerate the roll-out of early warning systems.
- Housing: Expand access to affordable, resilient homes, protect tenants, and tackle homelessness. Mayors call for greater local authority over housing and better access to public and international finance for locally led solutions.
- Migration: Support newcomers while maintaining strong public services and social cohesion for all residents. Cities call for a greater role in migration policy and direct funding for reception, integration and essential services.
Mayors also reaffirmed the COP28 agreement to transition away from fossil fuels in a just, orderly and equitable manner. The communiqué argues that reducing dependence on fossil fuels can help protect households and economies from volatile energy costs while cutting pollution and reducing the climate risks facing communities.
Across all three areas, the communiqué argues that cities are already delivering practical solutions but can go further and faster when national governments work with them. Mayors are calling for stronger partnerships between national and local governments, greater access to national and international finance, and the authority to develop solutions that reflect local needs.
For the first time this year, the communiqué does not just focus on asks of government but instead highlights actions cities are taking to confront inequality and advance progress on affordable housing, climate action, and humane migration.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani of New York City said: “Over the past three days, mayors from around the world came together to reaffirm the simple idea that government should make life better for the people it serves.
“That means making rent and energy bills more affordable, protecting our neighbors from the perils of climate change, and taking on corporations that exploit workers.
“When we give local governments the tools to meet those challenges, we can deliver real, material change. New York is proud to stand with cities around the world in building a future where working people can afford to raise their families and build a good life.”
Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles said: “The 2026 Urban 20 has shown what cities can accomplish when we come together around the challenges our communities face every day. From housing affordability and climate action to supporting immigrant communities and creating good jobs, mayors are on the front lines, developing practical solutions and delivering results.
“In Los Angeles, we are putting that work into action — from going coal-free and doubling EV chargers citywide to creating capacity for half a million new homes through our historic rezoning program.
“The U20 communiqué turns that shared experience into a collective call for action, giving cities the tools, resources, and partnerships they need to go further and faster. Los Angeles is proud to have co-chaired this year’s U20 with New York City, and we will carry this work forward with cities around the world.”
Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr of Freetown, Co-Chair of C40 Cities, said: “Mayors came to New York from different countries and different circumstances, but the pressures facing our residents are remarkably similar: rising costs, extreme heat, housing insecurity and displacement.
“This communiqué turns that shared experience into a shared agenda for action. Cities are ready to deliver. Give us the tools and resources to act, and we will.”
Kate Johnson, C40 Cities Director for North America, said: “Mayors and city leaders from across the G20 and beyond have sent a clear message from New York: climate action is about making people’s lives better.
“It means homes that are more affordable and resilient, lower and more stable energy costs, good jobs, cleaner air, and communities that are better protected from extreme weather.
“The disruption caused by this El Niño is showing just how much and how urgently international mobilization on climate is needed. It is cities who are leading by delivering action on the ground.
“At a time when international cooperation is under strain, mayors are showing that progress is possible when leaders focus on practical solutions that improve people’s lives.”
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