Urban 20 Mayoral Summit Concludes in Johannesburg with Powerful Call to Action
The Urban 20 (U20) Mayoral Summit, a key platform for elevating city voices within the global G20 agenda, concluded in Gauteng, co-hosted by the City of Johannesburg and the City of Tshwane. This year’s summit highlights the critical role of local insights in shaping inclusive and sustainable urban futures.
Among the notable contributors is the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO), which has played a pivotal role in advancing the summit’s theme of inclusive governance and evidence-based policymaking.
GCRO Executive Director Rashid Seedat led a compelling session titled “Building Bridges, Not Walls: Promoting Social Inclusion in a Divided World.” The panel featured diverse perspectives from:
- Raymond Matlalaa, representing Youth 20,
- Councillor Alejandra Bravo from Toronto, Canada,
- Mayor Issa Kassis of Ramallah, Occupied Palestine.
The discussion explored strategies for fostering social cohesion across divided communities, emphasizing the importance of youth engagement and international collaboration.
In another highlight, GCRO Research Director Graeme Gotz hosted a session focused on urban quality of life. The panel included:
- Dr. Pedzisai Ndagurwa from the University of the Witwatersrand,
- Shamsunisaa Miles-Timotheus, GCRO researcher.
Together, they unpacked the role of data in understanding and improving the lived experiences of city residents, reinforcing the summit’s commitment to people-centred urban development.
The summit culminated in the adoption of the U20 Communiqué, endorsed by 37 cities and formally handed over to South Africa’s national government for presentation at the upcoming G20 Summit. The Communiqué outlines urgent urban priorities and calls on G20 leaders to:
- Recognise cities as essential partners in global decision-making
- Unlock direct access to finance for urban development
- Collaborate on climate action and a just transition
- Promote inclusive economic growth and affordable housing
- Ensure a human rights-based approach to migration
- Harness digital innovation responsibly
Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Cllr Dada Morero, described the Communiqué as “our collective voice… a statement that cities are not waiting for permission. We are partners, innovators, and essential actors in shaping a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future.” [2]
Echoing this, Executive Mayor of Tshwane, Dr. Nasiphi Moya, affirmed the document’s relevance to local communities: “It reflects the urgent needs of our people and serves as a blueprint for action.”
Significance for Africa and the Global Urban Agenda
The summit spotlighted African cities as leaders in climate resilience, social equity, and digital transformation. It also aligned with South Africa’s broader commitment to multilateralism and sustainable development, including President Cyril Ramaphosa’s national tree-planting initiative, which saw 10,000 trees planted in Johannesburg alone during the summit.
C40 Cities Co-Chair and Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, emphasized that the Communiqué will be amplified globally—at COP30, the UN General Assembly, and the C40 World Mayors Summit in Rio: “This is not just a talking shop. Every priority in the Communiqué speaks directly to the lived realities of our residents.”
As the world prepares for the G20 Summit and COP30, the U20 Mayoral Summit in Johannesburg has reaffirmed the indispensable role of cities in shaping a just, inclusive, and sustainable global future.
References[1] What happened at Urban 20 in Johannesburg? - C40 Cities[2] City of Joburg Mayor Sends a Strong Message to G20: Recognise the Role ...