The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed during the Global Strategic Dialogue Series, its first session convened jointly by the City of Mannheim and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). The parties shall collaborate on the involvement of mayors and local authorities in sustainable development and multilevel governance. The purpose of this MoU is to provide a framework of cooperation which strengthens their collaboration on localizing the SDG’s. One of the primary results that will follow from joint collaboration is the accreditation and engagement of GPM to the UN-Habitat as a stakeholder.
“The launch of the “Mannheim 2030” in line with the SDGs and the New Urban Agenda is an excellent example of adapting the international agenda through local action, investing in prosperity, inclusivity and wellbeing of your city” said Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Executive Director of UN-Habitat
UN-Habitat is the coordinating agency within the United Nations System for human settlement activities and responsible for promoting collaboration with all partners in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular, Goal 11 of “Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”.
The Mayor of Mannheim, Dr. Peter Kurz, emphasized that “climate change, migration and digitalization pose major challenges for cities around the world. Only a comprehensive transformation of policy and business attitudes can succeed in meeting those challenges. This Global Strategic Dialogue addresses the question of how private sector opportunities can be better aligned with urban needs”.
The two-day event included representatives from 8 cities, 25 businesses, 5 financiers and representation from the international development community at large. The event was held in the lead up to the First Session of the UN-Habitat Assembly in May 2019 and the 10th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF10) to be held in Abu Dhabi in February in February 2020.
