Observed annually on October 31st, World Cities Day is a UN observance that is organized by the UN Human Settlements Programme in coordination with a selected host city. This day is when the private sector, development partners, and academic institutions exchange new ideas and best practices to build urban climate resilience.

Each observance of this holiday will have a central theme that focuses everyone’s efforts on the holiday. For example, the theme in 2014 was “Leading Urban Transformations,” and in 2021, the theme was “Adapting Cities for Climate Resilience.”

The History of World Cities Day

On December 27, 2013, the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution A/RES/68/239, which established World Cities Day. This holiday designated October 31st as a day to promote the international community’s interest in global urbanization and to address the challenges caused by urbanization.

It is a holiday that aims to bring together communities, experts, and governments to establish sustainable urban development throughout the world.

Observing World Cities Day

On this day, the UN works with its partner city to raise awareness about the need to create not only more sustainable cities but also to ensure that those cities are fortified against climate change.

Every year, climate change causes a variety of disasters that directly affect cities. These include, but are not limited to, hurricanes, floods, rising sea levels, heatwaves, mudslides, forest fires, and storms. Approximately a billion people in urban informal settlements are at risk, and 130 port cities are expected to be affected by coastal flooding.

It is a day when people can come together to find solutions to these problems and create more sustainable urban environments for everyone. People can spread the word about this holiday around the world using the hashtag #WorldCitiesDay on their social media accounts.