On March 9, 2025, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) presented the Cities Countdown to 2030, an initiative that brings together local and regional governments to share practical experiences and speed up the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The event brought together more than 50 local governments and partner organizations, creating a space for knowledge sharing, dialogue, and collaboration.
By placing municipalities at the center of sustainable development, the event highlighted how cities are not only adapting to challenges such as climate change, inequality, and food security, but also driving innovative solutions that can inspire and be replicated worldwide.
Showcasing transformative cases
Four cities presented initiatives that illustrate the diversity and creativity of local responses:
- Konya (Turkey)
The metropolitan municipality presented its model “How to feed, not deplete the world”, a comprehensive public food system strategy rooted in the city’s agricultural heritage. The initiative promotes drought-resilient crops, organic farming, renewable energy, and modern irrigation. It also advances gender equality by supporting women in managing municipal organic markets, while young people and small-scale producers benefit from agri-tech access. With more than 45 municipal branches distributing affordable bread, Konya is redefining food security as a public service and positioning itself as an international actor in agricultural diplomacy.
- Kisumu (Kenya)
Through the Kisumu urban projects (KUP), the city has pioneered integrated urban regeneration since 2012. The initiative focuses on upgrading informal settlements, rehabilitating local markets, improving road infrastructure, building schools and health centers, and deploying ICT-based urban management tools. Kisumu’s approach enhances spatial equity, inclusive governance, and service delivery, helping transform the city into a resilient and forward-looking hub for East Africa.
- Montevideo (Uruguay)
The Habitat program, led by the city’s Division of Land and Habitat of Montevideo City, is a comprehensive urban improvement plan targeting informal and undervalued areas. It includes infrastructure upgrades—such as paved roads, lighting, and public spaces—and reclaims abandoned properties for social and cooperative housing. Rooted in Uruguay’s tradition of cooperative housing, the program mobilizes mutual-aid models, micro-loans, and subsidies to expand access to land and housing, while promoting community-driven urban regeneration that reduces inequalities and strengthens dignity in housing.
- Barcelona (Spain)
Building on its long-standing climate leadership, Barcelona presented its Integrated climate action plan, aligned with the EU Mission “100 Climate-neutral cities.” The plan aims for climate neutrality by 2030 through six strategic axes: energy transition, mobility, resilience, adaptation to heat, citizen-led climate engagement, and neighborhood-based action. The city promotes a participatory governance model that places citizens, local institutions, and communities at the heart of the ecological transition, ensuring a fair and inclusive approach.
Reinforcing the role of local leadership
Throughout the discussions, the session reaffirmed the leading role of local and regional governments in advancing sustainable development. Speakers underscored that municipalities are not passive implementers but active co-creators of global agendas, able to deliver tangible solutions directly connected to the daily lives of citizens.
As emphasized by the UCLG Secretary General, the Cities Countdown to 2030 is not only a platform to share stories, but also a collective commitment to ensure that cities will be recognized as the driving force behind sustainable, just, and resilient societies.