Committed to Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements for All
In Special Consultative Status with ECOSOC
The
31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31)
Associated
Event—
The 21st Annual Session of Global Forum on Human Settlements
& New Sustainable
Cities and Human Settlements
Awards Ceremony (GFHS 2026)
Resilient Cities, Just Transition: Empowering the
Implementation Era of Climate Actions
November
13, 2026
Antalya,
Türkiye
Against the backdrop of an intensifying global climate crisis, profound adjustments in the geopolitical landscape, and the accelerating technological revolution, cities have become the central battleground for implementing global climate actions and advancing sustainable development. Unilateralism, escalating geopolitical conflicts, and shrinking international aid are presenting unprecedented challenges to global sustainable development and climate governance.
Global climate action has entered the "Implementation Era". The 31st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP31), to be held in Antalya, Türkiye in November 2026, is an extremely important convention for the entire world. COP31 represents a key juncture for implementing the Paris Agreement following the first Global Stocktake (GST). With "measurable, verifiable, and substantial actions", "just transition for vulnerable groups", and "climate resilience building" as the core agenda, its central mission is to drive the shift of climate action from verbal commitments to global implementation on the ground.
Today, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a significant enabler for transformational development, providing technical support for implementing climate action and creating new opportunities for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Examples include: AI technology optimizing climate and environmental risk warnings, enhancing the resilience and sustainability of urban infrastructure, improving resource allocation efficiency, reducing the cost of climate action in developing economies, and safeguarding the development rights and interests of vulnerable groups.
Global Forum on Human Settlements (GFHS) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity headquartered in New York. It has been holding Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 2015 and is an observer organization to the UNFCCC. GFHS is dedicated to providing a high-level platform for global dialogue and cooperation to promote sustainable cities and human settlements for all. With the strong support of UN agencies and global strategic partners, the GFHS Annual Session has been successfully held for 20 consecutive years at UN Headquarters and on five continents, contributing to the advancement of the UN Habitat Agenda, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement, and the New Urban Agenda.
Centered on "Advancing Local Innovation and Cooperation for a Resilient and Sustainable Urban Future", the 2025 Annual Session of Global Forum on Human Settlements was successfully held in collaboration with key institutions including the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which has built consensus on climate goals, strengthened partnerships, and promoted global innovation and cooperation. It also made positive contributions to the outcomes of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30).
In this significant context, the 21st Annual Session of Global Forum on Human Settlements and New Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards Ceremony (GFHS 2026), recognized as one of the world's most important conferences dedicated to sustainable cities and human settlements, will take place in Antalya, Türkiye on November 13, 2026, as an associated event of COP31.
Under the theme "Resilient Cities, Just Transition: Empowering the Implementation Era of Climate Actions", GFHS 2026 will bring together over 300 representatives from more than 50 countries. They will engage in in-depth discussions on topics such as AI-empowered resilient cities, inclusive low-carbon transition, energy resilience, nature-based solutions for climate adaptation, the application of ocean-based negative emissions technologies (NETs) in coastal cities, and multi-stakeholder collaborative governance.
CONTENT
I. Time: November 13, 2026
II. Venue: Antalya, Türkiye
III. Theme: Resilient Cities, Just Transition: Empowering the Implementation Era of Climate Actions
IV. Modality: Opening Ceremony, Keynote Speeches, High-Level Dialogue, Thematic Sessions, Summary and Recommendations, New Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards Ceremony, Closed-door Meetings, etc.
V. Institutional Framework (tbc)
Co-organizers
International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP)
4. Promote climate action investment and financing to empower sustainable development at the local level.
9. Apply ocean-based negative emissions technologies (NETs) to leverage coastal cities' climate leadership
GFHS 2026 is expected to bring together more than 300 delegates representing 50+ countries, including national government officials, diplomatic envoys, United Nations officers, international organization heads and senior representatives, mayors, business leaders, well-known experts and scholars, practitioners in relevant industries, NGO and youth leaders.
