Reference Framework for Sustainable Cities7

World Urban Forum 12 in Cairo: Local governments driving sustainable urban transformation 

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At the 12th World Urban Forum in Cairo, CEMR’s session brought together representatives from cities such as Tbilisi, Bishkek, Dushanbe, Niš and Vantaa, to share their experiences in advancing sustainable urban development through Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs). These exchanges underscored the vital role of local governments in translating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into actionable strategies that deliver tangible results. 

Co-hosted with UN-Habitat, the city of Tbilisi, the Reference Framework for Sustainable Cities (RFSC), and the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC), the session showcased examples of the new generation of action oriented VLRs, innovative tools like the RFSC’s self-assessment platform and EC JRC’s analysis of VLRs published to date. These resources empower cities to align their urban strategies with the SDGs and measure progress with precision. 

Moderated by Boris Tonhauser, Director of PLATFORMA, the discussions explored how VLRs enable cities to address pressing challenges, including water management, air pollution, and data gaps while enhancing their strategies through citizen engagement and evidence-based decision-making. By leveraging these tools and processes, cities are not only refining their local plans but also contributing to broader global goals with concrete actions. 

The session highlighted the essential role of multilevel governance and cross-sector innovation in addressing sustainability challenges beyond 2030. Key recommendations included revisiting SDG goals with a bottom-up perspective, prioritising cultural and citizen participation, and strengthening partnerships and support for cities engaged in VLR processes. 

As the 2030 deadline for the SDGs approaches, the discussions reaffirmed the transformative power of local governments to lead global efforts. Through collaboration, peer learning, and the use of practical tools such as the RFSC, CEMR and its partners continue to support resilient, inclusive, and climate-neutral cities.  

WUF12: Over 25,000 participants from 182 countries.  

The 12th World Urban Forum in Cairo set new records, with over 25,000 participants from 182 countries gathering to exchange ideas and solutions under the theme “It All Starts at Home.” The event concluded with the unveiling of the Cairo Call to Action, a document capturing the Forum’s key messages and proposed strategies for addressing urban challenges. By emphasising multilevel governance, citizen engagement, and innovative tools, WUF12 reaffirmed the transformative power of local action in shaping inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities. As the baton passes to Azerbaijan for WUF13, the momentum from Cairo serves as a powerful reminder of the critical role cities play in tackling global challenges. 

It’s finished! The Global Goals for Cities pilot network is complete!

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Across Europe, the 19 cities in the network visited each other, learned from each other and developed their integrated action plans together, to better implement the Sustainable Development Goals in their strategic urban planning.

To ensure the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the 17 goals it sets, cities are key players. With more sustainable cities, we can ensure a better planet. This is why URBACT and CEMR supported the creation of the Global Goals for Cities pilot network, aiming to accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. In this network, 19 cities were selected and showed their commitment to localizing the SDGs.

Our 19 cities also organised or participated in national and international events to present and share their experience and results.

To better understand how cities contribute to the SDGs, cities used the Sustainable Cities Reference Framework among other URBACT tools, allowing them to analyse gaps and priorities in their local strategies, identify the best actions to progress on the selected objectives and thus help build their integrated action plans and integrate the SDGs into their long-term urban strategies.

Finally, the network has developed a learning toolkit on the Global Goals for Cities*, available online, so that cities can better locate and implement the SDGs in their local strategies.

Event UNECE – 7 april

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At the occasion of the Regional Forum for Sustainable Development organised by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and as part of the Forum of Mayors, an event on the SDG localisation process in cities was held on 7 April.

This event allowed speakers from different bodies and countries to talk about their experiences regarding the implementation of the SDGs, mainly Mrs Sidorova, working at the Metropolitan Institute of Bratislava and Mr Dimitrov, representing the city of Veliki Preslav.

This exchange of good practices showed the usefulness of the Reference Framework for Sustainable Cities (RFSC) for different types of stakeholders, to help them implement the SDGs in their cities, where it might not always be popular.

Online event on 7 April – Plan, deliver on and monitor the 2030 Agenda in cities with the RFSC tool

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The Reference Framework for Sustainable Cities (RFSC) is a user-friendly online self-assessment tool that helps cities to analyse, design, implement and monitor integrated sustainable urban development strategies and/or projects. Cities can review and assess their priorities in light of European and Global frameworks, and develop a set of actions and a monitoring system linked with the objectives of integrated and sustainable urban development.

Discover or learn more about the RFSC tool in an online event on 7 April from 17:15 to 18:30! This event will introduce the RFSC tool to urban stakeholders and demonstrate its added value to build back better from the COVID-19 crisis. Cities, working on the localisation of the SDGs, and with the RFSC, will share their experience of being partners of an URBACT network: GG4C (Global Goals for Cities).

For more information click here.
To register click here.