The 2026 Sustainable Development Goals Cities Global Conference will be held in Shanghai from Nov 2 to 3 under the theme "Regenerating the City: Adequate Housing for All".

Co-hosted by the Shanghai Municipal People's Government and the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), the event will bring together participants to discuss how urban renewal and better housing contribute to sustainable urban development.

Nearly 100 international participants from more than 30 countries and regions are expected to attend.

Launched in 2021, the conference is an important event associated with World Cities Day, a UN observance that originated at Expo 2010 Shanghai and was held under the theme "Better City, Better Life".

World Cities Day is the first international day initiated by the Chinese government and established with the approval of the United Nations General Assembly.

This year's conference will feature a plenary session and the World Cities Day International Forum on Sustainable Urban Development. The forum will comprise five thematic sessions, seven special sessions, and six side events.

Discussions will cover livable cities, housing finance, green transition, community renewal, urban governance, and safety and resilience.

Shanghai will present its plans for sustainable urban development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), highlighting priorities in urban renewal, housing, waterfront improvements, transport, water systems, and environmental protection.

The conference will highlight the release of the Chinese-language editions of the 2026 Shanghai Manual and the 2026 Shanghai Index Application Report, along with reports on selected application scenarios.

The 2026 Shanghai Manual features 23 case studies from about 19 countries and regions, including two projects from Shanghai: Caoyang New Village and the city's ring-shaped ecological park belt.

The two projects highlight Shanghai's efforts to revitalize older residential communities and create greener, more livable urban spaces.

Meanwhile, the Shanghai Index has been used in pilot studies on climate resilience, urban renewal, urban governance, healthy cities, and innovation-driven cities, offering another tool for assessing and advancing sustainable urban development.

The Global Observance of World Cities Day and the fourth Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award) ceremony will take place in Fuzhou, Fujian province, from Oct 31 to Nov 2.

Established by UN-Habitat and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, the award recognizes cities that have made significant progress in sustainable development.

Sources: General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, Shanghai Observer