Cities for People, the key role of Public Transport to Build Back Better

Urban20 (U20) is a unique platform for ambitious, local government leaders to step up and send a joint message calling for global climate action and sustainable development to their national leaders. It brings together cities from G20 member states, plus observer cities from non-G20 states, and other international organisations. Since 2019, UITP is an active Partner of this global initiative, providing knowledge and deep expertise in the field of sustainable urban mobility.

This year, Riyadh is Chair city and host of the annual Mayors Summit: www.urban20riyadh.org. Meetings and discussions culminate in a final Communique through which the U20 issues recommendations to G20 Heads of Government.

In this context, UITP & UCLG are co-organising an official U20 side event on urban mobility. The current crisis is setting the scene for doing what so many cities wanted but lacked the opportunity to do.

Now is the time to devise visionary multilateral solutions and strengthen policy-making that fosters inclusive, sustainable, resilient and smart urbanisation, protects the rights of citizens and the foundations of local democracy, in support of prosperity and well-being framed by key global agreements.

This is an unmissable opportunity to definitively change things for the better, getting urban space back to people and betting on public transport as the backbone of our mobility systems. By stepping up collaboration among public and private stakeholders, implementation can be accelerated and immediate co-benefits obtained. It is essential that we secure ambitious political commitments at all levels to fulfil healthy societies in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

We must move beyond business-as-usual and work together to deliver the greatest impact for people. Cities and countries should invest in recovery and resilience for a systemic socioeconomic transformation, where public transport and active mobility play a key role to build back better.

Climate, health, social inclusion, road safety and the economy are all under attack and public transport, driven by innovation and service quality, is a vital part of the solution. Through dynamic roundtables, speakers will exchange on the challenges and good practices all around the world, shoring up the role of public transport as a key enabler to economic, social and environmental city objectives, leaving no one and no place behind.

The side event builds on the long-term collaboration amongst several U20 Cities and Partners. The session will enrich dialogue through participation from multiple stakeholders:

• cities
• international organisations
• multilateral development banks
• private sector
• NGOs/civil society

Register here!