On October 21, a press conference was held in Beijing announcing the 2024 World Cities Day main events in China. This year’s events will take place from October 26 to 31 in the cities of Weihai and Shanghai. The event is co-hosted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the Shandong Provincial Government, the Shanghai Municipal Government, and UN-Habitat. The theme for this year is “Building People’s Cities Together, Sharing a Better Life.”
In 2013, China advocated for the United Nations to designate October 31 as World Cities Day. In recent years, an increasing number of cities worldwide have joined in celebrating and promoting World Cities Day, enhancing its global influence. This day provides a platform for cities across countries to engage in mutual exchange and cooperation, raising global awareness of urban development.
The focus of this year’s World Cities Day events will revolve around the theme, emphasizing the sharing of policies, experiences, and practices related to implementing the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and promoting sustainable urban growth and improved living conditions. The program will include an opening ceremony, a Mayor’s Forum on High-Quality Urban Development in the New Era, and a Global Conference on Sustainable Urban Development.
Various sub-forums and side events will tackle hot topics related to sustainable urban development, covering areas such as economy, society, and environment. Additionally, there will be exhibitions showcasing key initiatives. The thematic exhibition in Weihai, held concurrently with the main events, will feature three segments: “Enjoy the City,” “Good Housing,” and “Smart Living.” This display aims to highlight urban development directives focusing on ecological livability, smart governance, and resilient safety, offering insights for sustainable urban development globally.
Moreover, the 2024 Shanghai International Urban and Architecture Expo will take place from October 31 to November 2 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center, themed “Innovation-Driven Green Development, Empowering People’s Cities with New Quality.”
Several key outcomes will be announced during the event, including the “Weihai Initiative,” the “Shandong Application Report of the Shanghai Index under the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals,” the “Weihai Manual: Global Community Sustainable Development Report,” the “Shanghai Manual: 21st Century Urban Sustainable Development Guidelines,” and the “Shanghai Index Comprehensive Indicator User Guide.”
