The 11th World Urban Forum (WUF11) will be held in Katowice until 30 June 2022 focusing on seven themes of challenges relevant to the sustainable future of cities: green growth; a just future; innovation and technology; building urban resilience; urban planning and management; the future of the urban economy and finance; and responding to crises and rebuilding cities.

The Forum was officially opened by the Minister of Funds and Regional Policy Grzegorz Puda, UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Deputy Minister Małgorzata Jarosińska-Jedynak and Mayor of Katowice Marcin Krupa. The event was attended by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

“Cities are today the main drivers of sustainable development. They determine the directions and dynamics of the development of the global economy. However, the pace of urbanisation processes requires international action and coordination” said the Minister of Funds and Regional Policy, Grzegorz Puda.

In his speech, Minister Puda also pointed out the need for a comprehensive and in-depth discussion on the transformation of the urban development model and the transfer of all activities related to the implementation of sustainable development and equitable urbanisation goals to the Polish ground.

The 11th session of the World Urban Forum is held under the slogan “Changing cities for a better future”. Representatives of countries from all over the world are discussing sustainable and responsible urban development.

The World Urban Forum was created on the initiative of the United Nations. The first Forum took place in Nairobi, Kenya in 2002 and since then it has been held all over the world, regularly every two years. Subsequent sessions have been hosted by Barcelona, Vancouver, Nanjing, Rio de Janeiro, Naples, Medellin, Kuala Lumpur and Abu Dhabi.

Adrian Andrzejewski