New Delhi (thestates.news)| Setting the stage for the upcoming UNFCCC Climate Conference, COP30, the Delhi Declaration on Local Action for Global Climate Goals emerged as the key outcome of the first ARISE Cities Forum 2025, held on October 8–9 in New Delhi. The Declaration unites voices from across the Global South in a shared call for stronger multilevel cooperation and accelerated urban climate action. The forum was co-hosted by ICLEI South Asia and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA).
More than 200 delegates from 60 cities and 25 countries representing local, subnational, and national governments, the private sector, and other key stakeholders pledged to amplify urban voices and strengthen collaboration across cities, sectors, and borders to ensure that priorities of resilience, equity, and sustainability are reflected in global climate outcomes.
The ARISE Cities Forum 2025 opened with an address by Hon’ble Minister of State Shri Tokhan Sahu, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India. Distinguished speakers included Mr. Gino van Begin, Secretary General, ICLEI; Dr. Debolina Kundu, Director, NIUA; Mr. Norio Saito, Director, Urban Development and Water Division, Asian Development Bank; Mr. Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator in India, and Mr. Emani Kumar, Deputy Secretary General, ICLEI South Asia.
Adopted at the close of the two-day Forum, the Delhi Declaration will be handed over to the COP30 Presidency in Belém as a collective statement of urban ambition, underscoring the leadership of cities in driving resilient, equitable, and sustainable climate action.
The Delhi Declaration was handed over by Shri Shankar Lalwani, Member of Parliament, Indore, and Mentor, Climate Parliament, India to Mr. Rodrigo De Souza Corradi, Deputy Executive Secretary and Director, ICLEI South America. (S-PIB)
