Global Forum on Human Settlements calls for urban innovation toward achieving SDG 11 and the New Urban Agenda

The Global Forum on Human Settlements (GFHS) 2018 concluded today at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in Bangkok as participants gathered to commemorate World Cities Day.

The two-day meeting organized under the theme Advancing Urban Innovations to Achieve SDG 11 and New Urban Agenda drew over 400 participants from more than 40 countries to conclude the observance of Urban October. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities is a cornerstone of localizing the 17 SDGs.

High-level stakeholders expressed commitments to support sustainable and resilient cities through innovation, green growth and well-designed policies to maximize the benefits of local actions. As a highlight of the Forum, the Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards (SCAHSA) Ceremony 2018 was presented to 36 winners. Prominent awards included the Global Green City given to Hua Hin, Thailand, the Global Green District to Qingdao Sino-German Ecopark, China, and the Global Model on Characteristic Town to Langfang Dachang Movie Town, China, among others.

While the SDGs are global, uniting diverse stakeholders is integral to making them a reality and determining the future of urban environments.

The Forum concluded by calling for greater efforts to speed up the transition to green growth through developing a circular economy, scaling-up financing for sustainable urban infrastructure, sustainably managing urban water, applying innovative technologies for smart cities, building enhanced partnership and creating international green model cities.