Declaration recognises the work of Commonwealth partners
On completion of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM2022) in Kigali, Rwanda, Heads of Government adopted a Declaration to prioritise a greater focus on sustainable urbanisation to address the impacts of rapid urbanisation and climate change in the Commonwealth, to ensure liveable cities, towns and villages for all Commonwealth citizens.
Recognising that Commonwealth countries are projected to account for nearly 50% of the projected growth in the world’s urban population to 2050, and that cities are responsible for over 70% of global carbon emissions, the Declaration acknowledges the need for integrated strategies to deliver safe and sustainable urbanisation and to support cities to mobilise resources to develop scalable programmes to address key challenges while reducing risk and vulnerability.
The Commonwealth Secretary General, Baroness Scotland, remarked during the closing Press Conference that “These Declarations provide the guiding framework for the work of the Commonwealth over the coming period”.
Commonwealth partners: the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the Commonwealth Association of Architects, the Commonwealth Association of Planners and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum welcomed the Declaration noting that this reinforces the Call to Action on Sustainable Urbanisation across the Commonwealth which was developed through a Commonwealth-wide consultative process led by the members of the Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Initiative (CSCI) in collaboration with the Government of Rwanda and The Prince’s Foundation and published in 2021.
The members of the CSCI look forward to supporting the Government of Rwanda during its term as Commonwealth Chair in Office and to ensuring that the momentum and support for a greater focus on sustainable urbanisation across the Commonwealth achieved at the CHOGM is reflected in practical actions towards a more sustainable urban future for all.
Published: 25 June 2022