World Metropolitan Day 2024

Dakar was the host city of World Metropolitan Day 2024, exploring the critical role cities and younger generations play in achieving a just transition that leaves no one behind.

With the youngest population in the world, Africa is a driving force for the future. At this year's World Metropolitan Day delegates from 10 African metropolises met and discussed the innovative approaches that African cities are implementing to boost the green economy.

The participants also highlighted the need for strong partnerships and collaboration to implement these solutions, as well as the urgency of global accountability to ensure a just and fair transition.

Highlights from across the world

The Bay Awards

Bilbao Metropoli 30, the public-private partnership for the revitalization of the metropolitan area of Bilbao, brought together institutional representatives and renowned figures in urban planning and strategy from around the world at their International Conference.

Unity in Urbanity: Celebrating Metropolitan Day and Strengthening Mashhad's City Diplomacy.

This gathering created an open dialogue to identify individual roles in fostering an integrated approach to urban diplomacy in Mashhad.

Launch of the Argentina Federal Metropolitan Network

The Argentina Federal Metropolitan Network was created to foster a mature and democratic exchange between academic representatives, civil society organizations, entities, governments and legislators.

Building Greener and More Resilient Cities

Stakeholders and decision-makers related to energy and sustainability will came together in Gaziantep to discuss how to build greener and more resilient cities.

Urban Talks: The Role of Metropolises in Leading a Just Transition

The Urban Talks session, organized in collaboration with the Marmara Municipalities Union Sustainability and Climate Change Center, Urban Policy Center and Boğaziçi University, focused on the role of Istanbul’s energy and water footprints in a just transition.

Dialogues and Experiences of Metropolitan Areas in Colombia: A Panel Discussion

The Mayor's Office of Santiago de Cali, in collaboration with ICESI University, presented various experiences of Metropolitan Areas in Colombia, focusing on cases from the northern, central, and southwestern regions of the country.

Guangzhou lit up the Canton Tower, in support of World Metropolitan Day. Find out more about how Guangzhou promotes innovative urban projects.

Anacláudia Rossbach, Chief Executive of UN-Habitat, released a statement highlighting the importance of World Metropolitan Day.