The largest sustainability network for local and regional governments concluded its triennial World Congress last month. ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) brought together, in partnership with the event’s host the City of São Paulo, Brazil, over 1,500 global urban leaders from 96 countries, including more than 100 mayors. 

The Congress addressed critical issues in local climate and resilience action, multilevel governance, and the unique role of the Amazon region in global sustainability. “As the Mayor of São Paulo, I am very proud and honored to have hosted the ICLEI World Congress here, allowing us to advance discussions on key topics, especially the environment, sustainability, climate change and social issues,” said Mayor Ricardo Nunes.

The ICLEI World Congress was the main event of the São Paulo Urban Summit, a week full of activities that highlight the fundamental role of cities. As Brazil officially assumes the presidency of the G20, replacing India, Brazilian cities will lead the U20, elevating the voices of urban centers at the heart of the G20 economies. The week also included the Metropolis Board of Directors Meeting, further reinforcing the importance of cities on the global stage.

Five Key City and Region Announcements

1. First seven city signatories announced for innovative city insurance program

ICLEI, with partners, launched the Urban Infrastructure Insurance Facility (UIIF) to enhance urban resilience against natural hazards with innovative insurance solutions. Seven cities from Mexico, Brazil, Jamaica and Honduras—Curitiba, Porto Alegre, Recife, Reynosa, Mérida, Tegucigalpa and Kingston—are the first to join. Funded by the KfW Development Bank on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), UIIF helps cities measure risks and provides tailored insurance solutions. This initiative is vital for mitigating natural disaster disruptions and fostering sustainable urban development in Latin America and the Caribbean, setting a global example for urban leaders.

2. ICLEI President Makes Debut in New Role

The Congress welcomed ICLEI’s newly elected President, Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh, Mayor of Malmö, who presented the organization’s Strategic Vision 2024-2030, presenting ambitious goals and pathways to enhance urban sustainability globally. Mayor Jammeh said, “ICLEI is a strong global force and an important network that gives voice to the cities globally.”

3. Three local and regional governments from Argentina, Kenya and Indonesia have found a way to get to 100% renewable energy

ICLEI, in collaboration with the governments of Avellaneda (Argentina), Kisumu County (Kenya) and West Nusa Tenggara Province (Indonesia), unveiled tailored roadmaps to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2050. These customized plans, adapted to each region’s specific needs and resources, highlight the proactive leadership of cities and regions in the global energy transition. “These roadmaps show that cities and regions are not just passive participants in the energy transition—they are active leaders” said Gino Van Begin, ICLEI Secretary General. 

4. National associations of local governments announce support of COP28 CHAMP initiative and multilevel climate action

Mayor Katja Dörner, City of Bonn, Germany, and chair of the Climate Action Governance Portfolio for ICLEI’s Global Executive Committee announced a call to action inviting all leaders to proactively approach their national governments and national associations of local governments for multilevel NDCs by 2025, building on COP28 outcomes and CHAMP initiative, COP28’s Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships for Climate Action, which has been signed by 72 countries and is an effort intended to enhance cooperation with subnational governments in financing, implementation and the monitoring of climate strategies. Leaders were also invited to report their progress at the annual Daring Cities Forum. This followed an announcement on the first day of the Congress that Frente Nacional de Prefeitas e Prefeitos (FNP) - Brazil’s national association of cities - released a letter of commitment (PT) in which mayors pledged their support for CHAMP. This was followed by a similar resolution by the United States Conference of Mayors later in the week. 

5. New contributors to the Local and Subnational Governments Coalition to end plastics pollution

In April 2024, with the Government of Quebec, Government of Catalonia, UCLG and further partners, ICLEI launched the Local and Subnational Governments Coalition to End Plastic Pollution. The purpose of the Coalition is to ensure that an ambitious but practical instrument is collectively shaped with local and subnational governments and ensures the participation and resourcing of local and subnational governments to contribute to ending plastic pollution. During the Congress, cities and subnational governments from five continents joined the Coalition.