Hlabisa lauds gathering of mayors as step in the right direction

JOHANNESBURG - Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa says the gathering of mayors from the world's cities has been more than a talkshop as city leaders call for a seat at the table at the upcoming G20 Summit.

Hlabisa was among the delegates at the closing of the U20 Mayors Summit in Sandton on Monday.

Tshwane and Johannesburg co-hosted mayors from the G20 bloc this week to bring to the fore priorities they believe need to be addressed by cities across the globe.

This includes infrastructure development, digital transformation and innovation, climate action and social inclusion.

Mayors from the G20 member states agreed on a communiqué that includes steps to ensure cities have the resources they need to deliver basic services for residents and to accelerate action on the world’s most pressing challenges.

READ: Moya calls on global leaders to pay closer attention to local governments

It said affordable housing, social protection, jobs, climate, sustainable development, digital transformation and social inclusion are not optional, but are essential for a just and thriving urban future.

A part of this includes unlocking funding, concessional borrowing, and financing lines for cities, working with development finance institutions and expanding dedicated programmes for cities to deliver public services.

"The U20 summit has been more than a dialogue among cities, it has been a political platform that brings the voice of local government to the G20 table."

He said the commitments by city leaders cannot exist in silos but must influence national policies.

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