The 20th Annual Session of Global Forum on Human Settlements (GFHS) (4-5 November 2025, Geneva, Switzerland)

The 20th Annual Session of Global Forum on Human Settlements (GFHS), which also marked the observance of World Cities Day 2025, was successfully held on 4–5 November 2025 at the headquarters of the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in Geneva, themed as “Advancing Local Innovation and Cooperation for a Resilient and Sustainable Urban Future”. The Forum, which was joined by 300 delegates from 40 countries comprising of senior government officials, diplomats, high-level representatives from the United Nations and other international organizations, business leaders, renowned experts and scholars, industry innovators, and NGO representatives, was co-organized by UNCRD-DSDG/UN DESA, GFHS, WMO, IUCN and ISOCARP in collaboration with UNDRR, UNDP, WWF, SEI, IISD, and Energies 2050, among others.

Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, Chairman of Global Forum on Human Settlements (GFHS) and former UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative, Professor Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization, and Dmitry Mariyasin, Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), among others, addressed the conference. The landmark Geneva Declaration was released, providing a consensus-based reference for urban transformation and development worldwide. Nineteen best practices demonstrating outstanding achievements in sustainable cities and climate action were highlighted, offering replicable and scalable models for more regions and sectors. UNCRD delivered an opening statement and moderated a session on future-proof carbon-neutral cities and human settlements. The Forum underscored, among others, that forward-thinking local governments and urban leaders could exercise critical leadership by leveraging the power of innovation to drive sustainable development, resolutely implementing carbon neutrality plans, and strengthening "city diplomacy" to uphold a multilateral international order. By catalyzing large-scale local innovation and proactive action, cities can accelerate their transformation and thrive amid uncertainties, ensuring a more livable, adaptable, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban future for all.

RELATED DOCUMENTS

• Final programme of 20th GFHS
• Final concept note of 20th GFHS
• Declaration agreed by participants at 20th GFHS
• Press Release on 20th GFHS