The Cities of Johannesburg and Tshwane co-hosted the Urban 20 (U20) Mayoral Summit from 12–14 September 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. This prestigious gathering brings together mayors from major G20 cities, providing a platform for essential dialogue that informs the deliberations of national leaders at the G20 Summit.
The U20 Summit is a vital opportunity for mayors to collectively address pressing urban challenges while ensuring that the priorities of cities are elevated within the G20 agenda. As co-chairs of the 2025 U20 cycle, Johannesburg and Tshwane are leading discussions that align with the South African G20 Presidency’s priorities.
Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Cllr Dada Morero, expressed his enthusiasm for the summit:
“The U20 Mayoral Summit represents an opportunity for urban leaders to unite their voices on the critical challenges we face today. It is our duty to advocate for our cities and ensure that our contributions are recognised in global discussions. By focusing on economic opportunities, climate action, social inclusion, and digital innovation, we can foster sustainable development and create vibrant urban environments for future generations.”
Executive Mayor of Tshwane, Cllr Nasiphi Moya, highlighted the transformative potential of the summit:
“Our mandate as mayors is clear: to tangibly improve the lives of our residents. This summit goes beyond dialogue to become a launchpad for action, where shared best practices and bold innovation forge a concrete agenda for our time. By uniting on the core pillars of economic growth, climate resilience, social equity, and digital transformation, we will not only imagine sustainable urban futures, but we will build them together.”
Mayor of Freetown and Co-Chair of C40 Cities, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE, emphasised the importance of Africa’s leadership:
“Cities are the engines of an inclusive, urban transition, delivering climate action that creates jobs, builds resilience, and boosts inclusion for all, especially for young people in Africa. In C40 African cities, over 2.2 million green jobs make up nearly 12% of total formal employment. Backed by our cities’ technical and practical expertise, African cities are leading the charge on urban climate action, and the U20 Summit is where we will showcase how this experience can drive global solutions.”
C40 Cities Executive Director, Mark Watts, reinforced the global significance of U20 collaboration:
“In a moment marked by slowing climate progress and geopolitical tensions, the united front shown by city leaders at U20 sends a crucial message of multilateralism and collaboration. By presenting a common agenda to the G20, these leaders create a powerful foundation that will be carried forward towards COP30 in Belém. Cities, with their focus on effective action and tangible, socially just solutions, are more central to global climate action than ever.”
The key themes of the 2025 U20 cycle include:
- Economic Opportunities and Financing: Driving economic growth and securing innovative financing for sustainable urban development.
- Climate Action and Urban Resilience: Advancing urgent climate action and building resilience in cities vulnerable to climate change.
- Social Inclusion and Equity: Promoting policies that ensure all residents benefit from urban development.
- Transformation and Innovation: Harnessing digital technologies to enhance governance, service delivery, and citizen engagement.
Closing on the power of hosting the summit, Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Cllr Dada Morero, said:
“Hosting the U20 in Johannesburg is not about prestige, it is about possibility. Here, local challenges meet global solutions, and our city becomes a bridge between lived realities and global commitments.”
ISSUED BY THE CITY OF JOHANNESBURG
