The City of Tshwane participated in Urban 20 (U20) Mayoral Summit hosted by the City of Ahmedabad in India on 7 and 8 July 2023, which I attended in my capacity as MMC for Environment and Agriculture Management. The trip was fully funded by the event organisers.
U20 is a city diplomacy initiative that brings together cities from G20 member states under a common framework to discuss global economic, climate change and development issues and to enhance the role of cities in responding to these issues.
During the two days, U20 city leaders took part in various sessions on key issues based on the G20 theme of One Earth, One Family, One Future.
Furthermore, city leaders from 40 countries presented an Urban20 Communique to the G20 Presidency and this will be handed over to the G20 National Leaders during the G20 Summit in New Delhi to be held from 9 to 10 September 2023.
In these sessions, I had the opportunity to elaborate on the City of Tshwane’s strategic priority to maintain a clean and protected natural environment through our robust programmes as guided by the City of Tshwane’s ambitious Climate Action Plan to build climate-resilient city actions.
The City of Tshwane has adopted a social-compact approach to championing climate action by promoting active citizenry through the Tswelopele Clean-up Campaign and the empowerment of non-profit organisations (NPOs).
We are further partnering with organs of state, the private sector and NPOs to undertake regenerative activities with the shared vision of a more liveable city.
Through our Climate Change NPO Empowerment Programme, the City collaborated with selected NPOs to empower them to render climate-positive services in their communities.
During the piloting of this programme, 40 schools each received five bicycles, a food garden, a recycling centre and rainwater tanks. These are just some of the active programmes we are driving to mitigate the impact of climate change and to promote upright environmental behaviour.
The City is committed to work with different organisations and is inviting more communities to collaborate in supporting our efforts to reduce emissions and build a climate-resilient future.
The summit provided an excellent opportunity for cities to draw on their experiences and influence discussions about the global development agenda by incorporating an urban perspective closely linked to citizens’ concerns.
The City of Tshwane welcomes these types of engagements and values the unity of major cities towards an effective global action on issues pertinent to the future of humanity.