As the world grapples with escalating climate crises, environmental degradation, economic instability, and geopolitical fragmentation, the 20th Annual Session of Global Forum on Human Settlements (GFHS 2025) will be convened at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Headquarters in Geneva on 4-5 November 2025, with the theme being “Advance Local Innovation and Collaboration for a Resilient and Sustainable Urban Future".

Co-organized by GFHS, WMO and other UN agencies as well as international organizations, this landmark event will bring together 300+ global leaders, policymakers, innovators, and practitioners from 40+ countries for collaborative and productive dialogue and deliberation on pressing issues of urban transformation and development, technology, environment, and financing, notably through the lenses of and needs for innovation and collaboration.

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland

GFHS 2025 arrives at a pivotal juncture: 2024 was recorded as the hottest year in history, with global temperatures exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, according to WMO’s State of the Global Climate report. “This is not just a warning—it is a call to action,” emphasized WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.

Cities, responsible for 75% of global CO₂ emissions, are both the epicenter of the crisis and the frontline for solutions. GFHS 2025 will spotlight scalable local innovations and call for sustained and effective multi-stakeholder partnerships to rescue the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement, while fostering adaptable, inclusive, future-ready and sustainable cities and communities.

GFHS 2025 will include opening ceremony, keynote speech, high-level dialogue, mayors panel, thematic forums, conclusion and recommendation, awards ceremony, closed-door consultation, networking, and study tour. Some of the key topics include enhancing international collaboration at local level for SDGs acceleration; invigorating innovation and leadership towards greener and smarter cities; increasing climate resilience through integrated water resources management; integrated urban planning for net-zero and thriving neighborhoods; future-proof cities and human settlements; towards circular and zero-waste cities; urban transformation and competition in AI era; financing for resilient and carbon-neutral cities; blue economy and coastal resilience; nature-based solutions for livability and climate adaptation, among others.

GFHS 2024 at ECOSOC Chamber, UN Headquarters

On November 5th, the global top prize for sustainable urban future, New Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards Ceremony 2025, will be grandly held as a highlight of the event to recognize and reward outstanding innovation and local leadership in accelerating sustainable development and climate solutions. The award has been successfully held for 19 years, with awardees coming from different parts of the world. The application and evaluation process for this year's annual awards is currently in full swing. It is reported that the pool of applicants includes world-renowned metropolises, outstanding projects, green and smart technologies, and distinguished individuals.

GFHS 2025’s outcomes will directly inform the COP30 climate talks in Brazil, reinforcing the role of cities in achieving global climate targets.

Contact

Ms. Christine Lian He: christine.he@igcity.org

Global Forum on Human Settlements (GFHS): http://www.gfhsforum.org/