From 14 to 17 April 2025, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris hosted the in-person event “Urban Days”, bringing together over 150 global and local leaders, experts, and changemakers to discuss how to shape and finance inclusive, circular and sustainable cities.
Day 1 – Cities For All Day
Day 1 kicked off with the Champion Mayors Meeting, where mayors, led by Bratislava’s Matúš Vallo, endorsed a call to action for inclusive growth, emphasizing equitable mobility and local resilience. The kick-off session saw global leaders advocating for data-driven urban planning and stronger collaboration to tackle housing, climate, and demographic challenges. A new report on Cities for All Ages outlined strategies for age-inclusive cities, focusing on adaptable housing, child-friendly design, and digital access. Experts also urged investment in social housing and community land trusts, framing housing as a vital public good for resilient cities.
Download the report here
Day 2 – Circular Cities Day
Day 2 delved into circular cities, starting with the release of a report on The Circular Economy in Cities and Regions of the European Union, highlighting circular economy practices, challenges, and opportunities in cities and regions of the EU. The Circular Cities and Regions in Action session revealed insights from 10 circular policy scans. Five of these scans revealed the need for broader cooperation and aligned that governance is key to scaling progress. A masterclass session discussing “The Proximity Revolution” explored proximity-based urbanism as a pathway to resilient, inclusive cities. Two “Deep Dive” sessions focused on reducing whole-life carbon in buildings and examined circular water strategies efficiency, reuse, and resource recovery based on findings from 10 Latin American countries.
Download the report here
Day 3 – Sustainable Cities Day
Day 3 centered on sustainable cities, with leaders introducing a joint initiative between OECD and UN-Habitat to review 10 years of SDG localization and guide future local action. The “SDGs in Action” event presented impact stories from cities and regions, with Basque Country’s pilot report highlighting place-based progress. A masterclass on “The Geopolitics of Climate” explored climate leadership in cities, showcasing practical advancements in transport, housing, and food systems. “Spotlight” sessions reflected on local climate action, addressing SDG 13 and SDG 14, and shared lessons on building sustainable, inclusive blue economies.
Credit: OECD
Day 4 – Financing Cities Day
The final day focused on financing cities, exploring solutions for urban infrastructure to accommodate population growth and adapt to climate change. Sessions highlighted city-to-city partnerships to facilitate access to investments for sustainable urban development, emphasizing the role of national governments and international organizations. A deep dive into real estate investment sector examined the challenges and opportunities climate change presents, including new requirements, sources, and applications of data, and strategies to leverage and direct private investment at scale.
Credit: OECD
Source: https://www.oecd-events.org/oecd-urban-days/content/daily-digests