The cities of Johannesburg and Tshwane are poised to co-host the landmark Urban 20 (U20) Sherpa Meeting and African Mayors Assembly, marking the first time this pivotal gathering convenes on African soil.
Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Councillor Dada Morero, and Executive Mayor of Tshwane, Councillor Nasiphi Moya, co-chairs of the 2025 U20 cycle, confirmed their cities’ readiness for the event, which runs from Thursday, 12 to Saturday, 14 June 2025 at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research [CSIR] in Pretoria East.
This historic assembly brings together mayors, city leaders, and Sherpas from C40 Cities and United Cities and Local Governments [UCLG] across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and beyond.
“Over the next two days, 96 U20 Sherpas will collaborate to draft policy proposals for the G20 summit,” stated Mayor Moya. “This is where cities unite their voices to shape a shared vision for urban progress. By hosting these meetings, we ensure Africa’s priorities are not just heard but actively drive the G20 agenda.”
For the first time, the U20 Sherpa Meeting will coincide with a dedicated African Mayors’ Assembly. This parallel platform is designed to address the continent’s unique challenges, ranging from climate adaptation to equitable service delivery, ensuring their integration into the final U20 Communiqué.
Mayor Moya underscored the pride in co-hosting: “Together with Johannesburg, we are proud to co-host this milestone event. As the first U20 on African soil, it arrives at a critical moment, one that demands urgency, unity, and bold leadership.
Mayor Morero emphasised the indispensable role of cities in global advancement: “Urban transformation is not a side issue, it is central to national development, economic renewal, and global advancement. Cities matter. Africa matters. And the time for inclusive, resilient, and future-ready urban futures is now.”
Operating under the theme “Cities Leading the Way in Reimagining Global Change,” the U20 aims to directly shape the G20 agenda, ensuring urban priorities are central to global policymaking.
Johannesburg and Tshwane stand ready, leveraging world-class infrastructure, proud communities, and a commitment to collaboration. This assembly signifies more than a meeting; it is the commencement of a collective effort to build the future envisioned for urban landscapes worldwide.
SOURCED FROM JOBURG WEBSITE.