From July 16 to 22, 2025, the China-UN-Habitat Seminar on the Development of Inclusive, Safe, Resilient, and Sustainable Cities brought together 32 government officials and experts from 11 countries for a week of knowledge sharing and collaboration on sustainable urban development.
Proposed by UN-Habitat and funded by China International Development and Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), the seminar was organized by the International Cooperation Center (ICC) of China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). It aimed to strengthen global cooperation and share China’s innovative experiences in creating cities that are inclusive, secure, resilient to climate change, and environmentally sustainable.
Participation of Shanghai Award Cities
Representatives from winning and shortlisted cities of the Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award) 1st and 2nd cycle – Penang (Malaysia), 6th of October City (Egypt), Mombasa (Kenya), and Santiago de Chile (Chile) – were invited and attended the seminar in Beijing and Fuzhou in China.
Their involvement highlights the Shanghai Award’s role as a platform for fostering international partnerships and cooperation, and promoting knowledge exchange on sustainable urban development.
Training and Knowledge Exchange
Over the course of the week, participants engaged in specialized courses covering key topics such as resilient smart city construction, green and low-carbon development, digital transformation of urban planning, and strategies for climate adaptation, delivered by professors and researchers from renowned Chinese universities.
The program also featured field visits to cities and institutions showcasing successful Chinese practices, providing participants with first-hand experience of China’s sustainable urbanization efforts.
Strengthening International Cooperation
This seminar represents enhanced cooperation between UN-Habitat and Chinese partners. By sharing lessons learned and fostering dialogue, this seminar contributes to advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the New Urban Agenda. The insights gained will support participants in implementing transformative projects within their cities, enhancing urban resilience and improving quality of life for residents worldwide.