India is ready to host the Urban 20 (U20) meet in Ahmedabad, under its G20 Presidency, for this year.

The U20, as one of the G20 engagement groups, offers a venue for city governance from the participating nations to address crucial urban development concerns.

Two international non-governmental advocacy groups on urban issues — Climate 40 (C40) and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) — are the permanent convenors of the U20.

Ahmedabad, along with the two groups, will organise the various events for the engagement meeting on 9 and 10 February 2023.

This includes the City Sherpas’ inception meeting, along with the discussions on the proposed themes relevant to urban development issues, along with various other events.

The emerging discussions and outcomes from the meet, will culminate in the scheduled U20 Mayors Summit in July 2023.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually address the inaugural session of Urban-20 City Sherpas' inception meeting on 9 February. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri, will also be part of the event.

The engagement group was established in 2017, to highlight the emerging issues with the growing urban areas and economy, in the G20 nations.

The discussions focus on present urban priorities, such as, combating climate change, promoting social inclusion, improving sustainable mobility, providing affordable housing, with the goal of proposing collective solutions.

This will be the sixth edition of the U20 meeting and will bring together Mayors from leading cities in the G20.

The meeting will facilitate a productive dialogue between the national and local governments, inform the discussions of national leaders and helps promote the importance of urban development issues in the G20 agenda.

The chair for this year has established six priorities, building on the G20 theme, "One Earth — One Family — One Future," with the aim of inspiring city-level actions that address global agendas. These include:

• encouraging environmentally responsible behaviour

• ensuring water security

• accelerating climate finance

• championing local identity

• reinventing frameworks for urban governance

• planning and catalysing digital urban futures

It is projected that by 2050, cities will be home to two-thirds of the world's population. Given the crucial role of cities as engines of growth and development, the U20 aims to elevate the prominence of cities and its diverse challenges on global stage.

The previous meetings have brought forth the unique perspective of cities to the G20 and highlighted critical urban issues, drafted collectively by the participating cities. The present U20 cycle will build upon the legacy created by the preceding presidencies.