Delhi Declaration Paves Way for COP30: Global South Cities Unite for Climate Action
From Bharat to Belem: Delhi Declaration Sets the Stage for COP30, Amplifying Urban Voices from Global South
The Impressive TimesDelhi – With the Delhi Declaration on Local Action for Global Climate Goals, India has set a new benchmark for inclusive urban climate leadership ahead of COP30. The declaration, unveiled at the first ARISE Cities Forum 2025 held in New Delhi on October 8–9, brings together voices from across the Global South to strengthen multilevel cooperation and accelerate climate action in cities. The event was jointly organised by ICLEI South Asia and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA).
Over 200 delegates representing 60 cities and 25 countries — including government officials, private sector leaders, and key climate stakeholders — united to amplify the role of cities in shaping global climate outcomes. The declaration emphasizes resilience, equity, and sustainability as pillars of future climate policies.
The forum was inaugurated by Tokhan Sahu, Minister of State, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Government of India. Other distinguished participants included Gino van Begin (Secretary General, ICLEI), Dr. Debolina Kundu (Director, NIUA), Norio Saito (Asian Development Bank), Shombi Sharp (UN Resident Coordinator in India), and Emani Kumar (Deputy Secretary General, ICLEI South Asia).
At the conclusion of the two-day forum, the Delhi Declaration was formally handed over to the COP30 Presidency in Belém, Brazil, as a collective statement of urban ambition. Shankar Lalwani, Member of Parliament, Indore, and Mentor, Climate Parliament, India, presented the document to Rodrigo De Souza Corradi, Deputy Executive Secretary and Director, ICLEI South America.
The Delhi Declaration marks a major step in recognizing cities and local governments as central actors in global climate governance. It amplifies the unified call of the Global South to integrate urban perspectives into international climate negotiations under the UNFCCC. The declaration aligns with COP30’s Action Agenda and echoes the findings of the Global Stocktake, reinforcing that urban leadership is vital to realizing the Paris Agreement’s goals.
Key commitments outlined in the Declaration include:
Throughout the Forum, experts discussed challenges such as urban heat, waste management, sustainable mobility, climate finance, and locally led governance. Sessions also covered themes like nature-based development, circular food systems, and digital tools for energy planning.
Tokhan Sahu remarked that while cities are economic growth hubs, they also face challenges like pollution and overpopulation. “Where there are challenges, there are also solutions. ARISE provides a platform to discover those solutions collectively,” he said.
Emani Kumar, Deputy Secretary General, ICLEI, described ARISE as “a collective movement to carry Bharat to Belém — transforming ideas into innovation and ensuring both national and local climate action move forward together.”
Dr. Debolina Kundu, Director, NIUA, added, “The Delhi Declaration proves that through collaboration, cities can turn climate challenges into opportunities for transformation. Let’s bring the ARISE spirit to every city.”
With its emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, the ARISE Cities Forum 2025 is poised to shape the next decade of sustainable urban development — ensuring that the voice of cities is not only heard but truly represented in global climate policymaking
No Comments: