WUF11 KATOWICE

In 2015, the United Nations celebrated its 70th anniversary. The moment seemed appropriate for representatives of its constituent states, gathered at the Sustainable Development Summit held in New York, to adopt a new plan for world development until 2030 (AGENDA 2030). At that time, global sustainable development goals were developed, along with 169 tasks to be accomplished. At the same time, all member countries were encouraged to take action to implement these undertakings.

The goals presented by the UN are extremely ambitious and pose serious challenges for cities. On the one hand, they are a continuation of the Millennium Development Goals, especially in the areas that were not achieved at the time, and on the other hand, they have been prepared on the basis of the results of previous public consultations, with the involvement of many actors around the world whose voices focused on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable individuals. Last but not least, the goals were developed with respect for international law and are based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, international human rights treaties and other policy documents.

- Katowice, as the host of the World Urban Forum (WUF11), will already be engaged in a discussion on the problems of contemporary cities next year. The analysis of Katowice's activities on many levels: social, economic and environmental, carried out by us in 2020 in terms of the seventeen sustainable development goals, has helped us to identify those areas which will be worth talking about during the WUF, says Marcin Krupa, Mayor of Katowice.