Driving city priorities forward in global negotiations
As the places where most people live, cities have a crucial role in global decision-making. The Urban 20 (U20) is a city diplomacy initiative that gives mayors a formal voice in the G20: the forum where leaders from the world’s largest economies coordinate on major global challenges.
U20 brings together more than 30 cities to develop shared recommendations that push for action on city priorities and needs in G20 discussions.
As an official G20 Engagement Group,the U20 initiative:
- allows cities to bring local realities to negotiators on a global stage
- helps cities influence global economic and climate policy
- helps ensure national and international decisions enable effective, inclusive action with cities as delivery partners
Highlights from recent cycles
2025: Tshwane and Johannesburg
African cities chaired the U20 for the first time
The 2025 cycle was co-chaired by Tshwane and Johannesburg under South Africa’s G20 Presidency, marking the first time the G20/U20 cycle took place in Africa.. Their leadership brought greater focus to the priorities and conditions shaping urban development across the African continent.
Cities called for direct access to finance
The 2025 Communiqué emphasised the need for cities to have more direct access to finance, particularly for a just transition away from fossil-fuels to clean energy. It also positioned cities as strategic partners in global governance and implementation.
A stronger push for inclusive and sustainable urban futures
Discussions also highlighted other priorities, such as securing affordable housing, accessible public transportation, and investments in public health.
2024: Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo
Cities pushed for governance reform and social inclusion
At the 2024 U20 Mayors’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian President Lula and other high-level national representatives championed city leaders’ calls for greater partnership with national governments. Their joint priorities: tackling climate breakdown, strengthening social inclusion, addressing hunger and poverty, and reforming global governance systems so they better reflect and respond to the needs of cities.
A strong agenda on financing climate action and sustainable urban development
The 2024 Communiqué urged G20 governments to unlock more finance for urban climate action and sustainable urban development, including reforms to improve cities’ access to public and private financing, as well as to modernise multilateral development banks.
Aligning with Brazil’s G20 priorities
With Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo as Co-Chairs, the U20 reinforced links to Brazil’s G20 Presidency, highlighting the need to localise the Sustainable Development Goals and respond to rapid urbanisation and climate pressures.
Previous summits
- 2025: Tshwane and Johannesburg
- 2024: Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo
- 2023: Ahmedabad
- 2022: Jakarta
- 2021: Rome and Milan
- 2020: Riyadh
- 2019: Tokyo
- 2018: Buenos Aires
U20 priorities
The U20 focuses on the major issues shaping sustainable and inclusive development in cities.
Each year, these themes are considered in relation to the G20 Presidency’s priorities, guiding the collective recommendations cities bring to national leaders.
Climate change and sustainable development
Cities examine how climate action, sustainable growth, and socio-economic issues intersect with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Access to finance
Cities explore the challenges and opportunities in financing climate-aligned urban development, a key issue that cuts across every U20 cycle.
Alignment with G20 priorities
U20 discussions reflect the priorities set by the G20 Presidency, ensuring cities contribute to that year’s global policy agenda.
Building a collective urban voice
The U20 brings together mayors from G20 cities under a shared framework to shape a coordinated position for national leaders. Through this process, cities:
- build a platform for shared urban perspectives to be communicated to G20 leaders
- enrich the G20 agenda by contributing city experience, insights, and good practice
- propose joint solutions that strengthen climate action and sustainable economic development
- invite G20 members to consider strategic or urgent city issues that require coordinated action with national governments
How the U20 works
Cities develop shared recommendations for the G20
Each year, U20 cities come together to discuss their shared priorities for the year and work towards a Communiqué. This document represents the distinct city perspective, along with key recommendations, on socioeconomic development and climate action. This includes specific calls for action in support of a just transition toward carbon-neutral, inclusive, and resilient communities.
Cities present their priorities to the G20 Presidency
Ahead of the annual G20 Leaders’ Summit, the U20 Communiqué is handed over to the G20 Host’s Presidency and Heads of State. In this way, the U20 directly feeds city priorities into G20 negotiations.
Through this process, the U20 fosters stronger dialogue and relationship-building between local and national governments.
Cities lead the process through a rotating chairship
The U20 is permanently convened by C40 Cities and the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), with leadership rotating annually among 1-2 Chair cities from the G20 host country.
Get in touch
Contact citydiplomacy@c40.org for queries about C40’s work on U20, including potential partnership or collaboration opportunities connected to the U20 process.
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