United Nations (UN)’s World Cities Day (WCD) is annually observed across the globe on October 31 to promote the international community’s interest in global urbanization, push forward cooperation among countries in addressing challenges of urbanization, and contribute to sustainable urban development worldwide.
- 31st October 2024 marks the 11th World Cities Day.
Theme:
i.The theme of WCD 2024 is “Youth leading climate and local action for cities”
- The theme highlights the importance of youth advocacy for bold actions to tackle the climate crisis, as well as the need to transform ambitious ideas into tangible achievements
ii.Better City, Better Life is the general theme of WCD which remains constant for every year.
Host city for WCD 2024:
i.Every year a location for global observance is chosen to promote the success of urbanization or address a challenge resulting from urbanization.
ii.The Global Observance of WCD 2024 was held in Alexandria, Egypt.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution A/RES/68/239 on 27th December 2013 and proclaimed October 31 of every year as World Cities Day.
ii.The 1st WCD was observed on 31st October 2014, in Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China.
Urban October:
i.Every year, World Cities Day (31st October) marks the end of the observance of Urban October.
- Urban October begins with World Habitat Day on the 1st Monday of October and ends with World Cities Day on 31 October.
ii.United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) started Urban October in 2014 to raise awareness of the world’s urban challenges and get people from all over the world involved in the New Urban Agenda.
