Accelerate green transformation of cities, says Global Forum

“Accelerate Green Transformation and Innovation towards Healthy, Resilient and Carbon-neutral Cities” was the theme of the 16th Annual Session of Global Forum on Human Settlements (GFHS 2021), held virtually from October 27 to 29, 2021.

GFHS aims to unite world cities to tackle climate change towards sustainability. Ten  United Nations agencies, including the World Meteorological Organization, took part.

“Cities are the hotspots of global warming facing large implication and more frequent and intense extreme events. Integrated urban services and multi-hazard warnings are required to save lives and minimize losses,” said Dr. Elena Manaenkova, WMO Deputy Secretary-General.

She said that the new WMO Unified Data Policy Resolution would facilitate free and unrestricted exchange of Earth system data for advanced high-resolution forecasting and urban-scale modeling.

Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, Chairman of Global Forum on Human Settlements, Former UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative said that the Forum endeavors to make the international community alert and proactive about the issues of urbanization in a holistic manner.

“Sustainable development is the fundamental, intergenerational responsibility of our societies’ efforts which benefits all. Successful, well-governed cities greatly reduce climate-related risks for their populations and for our planet as a whole,” said Mr Chowdury.

Press release is here