By 2050, over 60% of the world's population will live in urban areas. Through local action, city residents play a crucial role in building cities that are sustainable and inclusive.

Each 31 October since 2019, the UNESCO Cities Platform (UCP) has celebrated World Cities Day by organizing dedicated events and activities that highlight the transformative power of cities for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, notably Goal 11 to "Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable".

This year, the Platform, comprised of 8 UNESCO city-centred networks and programmes, is advocating for approaches to sustainable development that place cities and local communities at their heart. Echoing the theme "Act Local to Go Global", the UCP highlights the coherence and complementarity of the local and global dimensions in our common pursuit of a sustainable future.

Diverse events and activities are being organized by UCP member networks and programmes, which aim to underscore the Platform’s intersectorial expertise and crosscutting contribution to connecting practical local actions with the global development agenda.

The UNESCO Cities Platform recently launched a series of Urban Solutions to promote climate resilience and action. These Solutions resonate with this year’s theme, "Act Local to Go Global", galvanizing effective and concrete local actions that contribute to the international development agenda. In particular, the second set of Urban Solutions was developed this year together with Indonesia Creative Cities Network in the framework of Urban 20, the G20 engagement group on urban issues.