World Urban Day Celebrations Set for October 31 in Fuzhou, China
The global celebration of World Urban Day will take place in Fuzhou, China, from October 31, focusing on urban renewal and sustainable cities.
Fuzhou, October 16 (Daily Kiran) : The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has announced that the global celebration of World Urban Day will be held from October 31 in Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian province in southeastern China. This year’s theme is “Empowerment through Renewal: Dreaming of Livable Cities.”
According to a statement released from Nairobi, Kenya, the event will span three days, commencing with a high-level opening ceremony on October 31. During this ceremony, the fourth Global Sustainable Urban Development Award, known as the “Shanghai Award,” will be presented. This award recognizes cities worldwide that have made significant achievements in sustainable development.
The event will feature thematic forums, special activities for urban policymakers and experts, sessions for sharing ground experiences, and city tours. Discussions will focus on how urban renewal can help achieve sustainable development goals and alleviate the global housing crisis. The agenda will also emphasize better utilization of existing urban spaces, provision of adequate housing, and the creation of more inclusive, safe, and sustainable cities.
Senior officials from the United Nations, representatives from various governments, international organizations, academic institutions, the private sector, and community organizations will participate in this global gathering. They will share their experiences and seek practical solutions to common challenges faced by cities.
It is noteworthy that the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution in 2013 at China’s initiative to observe World Urban Day annually on October 31 starting from 2014. This day marks the first international day focused on cities, proposed by the Chinese government within the UN framework.
