GEF held its semiannual thematic consultation with civil society organizations, with a dialogue focused ont he role of CSOs in building sustainable, resilient, and inclusive cities, with examples of best practice and lessons learned to strengthen CSO engagement in future GEF urban investments.

City leaders at different stages of producing Voluntary Local Reviews—reports that measure local progress and challenges in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals—compared notes on lessons learned and how to maintain momentum after a VLR.

Against a backdrop of global crises that are having severe effects on cities, participants at the Second Session of the UN Habitat Assembly addressed the need for a sustainable urban future through inclusive and effective multilateralism and adopted 10 resolutions, five decisions, and a Ministerial Declaration to further the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Meeting at the intersection of interconnected crises—the COVID-19 pandemic; climate change; wars, including in Ukraine—many delegates raised the resulting challenges faced by local and regional governments while also pointing to innovative solutions they carry, including how to implement the Sustainable Development Goals.