Green Cities High-Level Signing Ceremony Launch of the Green Cities Regional Action Programme for Africa

Green Cities High-Level Signing Ceremony

Launch of the Green Cities Regional Action Programme for Africa

Speech by

Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General

As prepared

21 June 2021

 

Honourable Participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Cities are growing fast and are facing major challenges.

2. Over two thirds of the global population will live in cities and towns by 2050.

3. With 90% of this urbanization taking place in Africa and Asia.

4. The challenges are intensified with the COVID-19 pandemic.

5. But we can turn crisis into opportunity.

6. Making our urban areas better protected from climate, environmental and health shocks.

7. By supporting cities to develop through the availability and access to products and services provided by green spaces in urban and peri-urban green agri-food systems. 

8. We can re-design our cities:

• With affordable healthy and environmentally sustainable food;
• With accessible green spaces;
• With green lifestyles; and
• With new jobs;

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

9. Last year, during the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly, FAO launched the Green Cities Initiative to support cities to be more resilient and more sustainable.

10. We aim to reach 100 cities in three years, and 1000 by 2030.

11. Our initial focus has been on Africa.

12. Why Africa?

13. Because the Continent has the world’s youngest and fastest growing population.

14. And two-thirds will be absorbed in urban areas by 2050.

15. In Sub-Saharan Africa alone, the population will double to 2.2 billion, with urban growth projected to surpass 174%.

16. And most of its urban areas are small towns with fewer than 300,000 inhabitants.  

17. With the right policies and planning, combined with innovative solutions,

18. local administrations and communities can build resilience and improve the wellbeing of urban and peri-urban dwellers.

19. Managing the food-energy-water nexus:

• with circular economy principles;
• climate smart agriculture;
• efficient value chains;
• ecosystem restoration; and
• adaptive management of green spaces.

20. We must work together to harness this human, financial and natural capital!

21. That is why today FAO is launching the Regional Action Programme for Africa.

22. We will mark the occasion by signing a Letter of Intent with mayors and governors of six African cities.

23. This Letter defines our mutual engagement to promote inclusive municipality-led partnerships, as part of a greater vision to address urban-rural challenges.

24. Thank you for your commitment to join forces!

25. FAO is eager to support your municipalities with concrete and innovative actions on the ground.

26. We are rolling out tailor-made training to make sure local policy and planning embody sustainable Green Cities principles.

27. We are working with partners like UN-Habitat so cities can benchmark their progress.

28. We are talking with city leaders and donors to facilitate resource mobilization.

29. And we plan to launch similar regional programmes around the world.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

30. At the core of the Green Cities Initiative lies a broad and engaged partnership in support of local governments – from funds and donors to city networks, UN agencies and institutions.

31. Above all, we need committed cities and mayors to involve local stakeholders like innovators, entrepreneurs and young people with new solutions.

32. We need digital technologies, climate-smart practices and inclusive processes that stimulate green jobs, enhance urban-rural connections and make city life healthy and sustainable.

33. Today’s event is an important milestone, reflecting this spirit of partnership.

34. Only together can we move forward faster in building greener cities in Africa for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life – leaving no one behind.

35. Let’s rethink our cities to reshape our future!

Thank you.