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22 October 2020 - The World Cities Day Global Observance will take place on Saturday 31 October 2020. World Cities Day has been observed annually across the globe on the 31 October since 2014,  highlighting a range of issues around sustainable urbanization. It is hosted by a different city each year, with attendance ranging from communities to the highest level of dignitaries. Several events take place around the world to mark the Day.

This year, UN-Habitat is partnering with the Government of the Republic of Kenya to organise the event, with the global celebrations being hosted by the County Government of Nakuru, supported by Uasin-Gishu and Kisumu County Governments. The Observance will be guided by the general theme Better City, Better Life, while the sub-theme is Valuing our Communities and Cities.

This year’s Global Observance is historic as it is the first to be hosted in Africa.

“Kenya is delighted to be the first African country to host the World Cities Day Global Observance. We are committed to promoting sustainable urban and human settlements’ development as is outlined in our National Urban Development Policy, as well as supporting the work of UN-Habitat,’’ said Mr. James Macharia, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works of Kenya

This will also be the first Global Observance of World Cities Day being held virtually, due to the  COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has drawn the world’s attention to the urgent need to  prioritize sustainable urban planning and development of our cities and towns, which have become epicentres for the spread of diseases particularly in unplanned and informal settlements.

The programme for the day features an official Opening Ceremony in the morning and two parallel sessions consisting of a total of four Roundtables in the afternoon.

The official Opening Ceremony will include statements from various dignitaries including:

• The Host Governor of Nakuru County and chairman of the Urban Development, Planning, Lands, Housing, Infrastructure and Energy Committee of Council of Governors Mr. Lee Kinyanjui ;
• The Mayors of Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation and Shanghai, People’s Republic of China;
• Recorded video message from the UN Secretary-General António Guterres;
• UN-Habitat Executive Director, Ms Maimunah Mohd Sharif;
• Minister of National Development of Singapore, and Cabinet Secretary Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works of Kenya
• And a keynote address by His Excellency Hon. Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, C.G.H., President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces