05 November 2024

U7 at G7 Sustainable Urban Development Ministerial 2024

On 4 November the G7 Sustainable Urban Development Ministers met in Rome to advance urban transformations. Among the list of joint actions, the Ministers included the explicit recommendation to formally include cities in the G7 decision-making process. 

“Therefore, we, the Ministers responsible for urban development of the Group of Seven (G7), commit ourselves to the following joint actions, while exploring opportunities for further Dialogues: (...) Working with our organisations that partner directly with cities to share experiences and practice in relation to sustainable urban development, recommending the recognition of the U7 as an engagement group based on the positive outcome of dialogue with them within this urban development track.”

During the meeting, Roberto Pella, Mayor of Valdengo (Italy) and Acting President of the Italian association of municipalities ANCI, and Eckart Würzner, Mayor of Heidelberg (Germany) and representative of the German Städtetag, joined the meeting as city representatives on behalf of the U7. During the meeting, U7 representatives welcomed the recommendation to recognise the U7 and laid out concrete enabling conditions for cities to play a leading role in the economic and social transformations needed for a sustainable and prosperous future. They especially highlighted the need for facilitating more horizontal cooperation between national and local governments and strengthening local investment capacities. Regular dialogues between national ministries, local and regional governments, the private sector, and financial institutions are a key condition for fostering comprehensive transformation strategies and addressing the public funding gap for climate neutrality efforts locally. 

Roberto Pella, Mayor of Valdengo, Acting President of ANCI commented:
"We thank the Italian Presidency for paving the way to enabling closer cooperation and dialogue with the U7 in the future. The U7 is advocating for stronger urban diplomacy within the G7 because it will accelerate progress toward a more just, sustainable, and prosperous future. Local governments are on the frontlines of tackling global challenges such as climate change and sustainable development. It is at the local level where national policies are implemented and tested, and we need to ensure those policies are practical and effective."

"Our towns are the future,”said Eckart Würzner, Mayor of ICLEI Member Heidelberg. “Cities are best positioned to lead their local transformations through holistic actions, but the frameworks we, as city representatives, operate under are often set without our involvement. We are grateful to the Urban Development Ministers of the G7 and the Italian presidency for taking this first, vital step by recommending that cities be consulted more systematically. Formal recognition of the U7 as an engagement group would ensure that cities’ voices are heard on all key issues."

In their Meeting Communiqué, the Ministers committed to establishing a shared understanding of effective urban development policy and unlock the full potential of cities. A dialogue and process to be continued in 2025, when Canada will take over the G7 presidency from Italy with the opportunity to finalise the formal engagement of the U7.

The position of the U7 on “Boosting Progress towards G7 Objective through Sustainable Cities, Urbanization and Multilevel Cooperation" can be found here.