By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Cities of Tshwane and Johannesburg are ready to host delegates from cities around the world, in a U20 Sherpa meeting and an African Mayors’ assembly as part of the run-up events which mark the country’s G20 presidency.
The U20 is an engagement group of the Group of 20 (G20). South Africa has taken over the Presidency of the G20 for 2025.
Cities must be recognised as strategic partners in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges, from climate change to social inequality.
This was the central message of the Urban 20 (U20) webinars, jointly hosted by the Cities of Tshwane and Johannesburg as co-host cities of U20 South Africa 2025.
The second webinar, themed “Building the Capacity of Cities to Withstand and Adapt to Climate Change,” brought together international thought leaders, policymakers, and innovators to develop practical strategies for urban resilience.
Tshwane Executive Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya said, City of Tshwane, where this first Urban 20 Sherpa Meeting and African Mayors Assembly will take place – a first on African soil – is geared for the occasion.
“This is a landmark moment for our capital city. It is also a turning point in the story of how cities, particularly African cities, are stepping forward to shape the future of our urban world,” Moya said during a media briefing on Monday.
It is the first time the Urban 20 convenes on the African continent. Moya said it comes at a time when the global context demands urgency, unity, and bold leadership. Cities will align their voices and set out a shared vision for urban progress.
“Across South Africa and around the world, cities are grappling with the interconnected challenges of climate change, inequality, and economic strain. These pressures require more than conversation. They call for coordination, commitment, and action.”
Moya added that by hosting the U20 Sherpa Meeting and the African Mayors Assembly, we are ensuring that Africa’s voice is not only present but actively shaping the G20 agenda at the highest level.
As part of this week’s programme, the U20 Schools Legacy Programme will also be launched at Groenkloof Nature Reserve. It aims to equip young people with the practical skills, exposure, and inspiration they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world. On June 14, some of the City’s most iconic sites, such as the Union Buildings, Dinokeng Game Reserve, and Freedom Park, will be showcased to the delegates attending the U20 meeting scheduled for later this week.
Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero meanwhile explained that four priorities are tabled that would anchor the U20 agenda—each deeply reflective of South Africa’s developmental trajectory but also resonant with global urban realities.
The first is economic opportunities and urban financing, which will focus on unlocking investment pipelines for cities and closing the growing infrastructure gap. Climate action and urban resilience will also come under the spotlight, recognising that cities must be proactive planners in an age of climate disruption.
Social inclusion and equity is also a topic due for discussion, asserting that urban transformation must dismantle historical inequalities and build a future that leaves no one behind. Digital transformation and innovation – embracing the digital shift not as a luxury but as a public good that enhances how cities function and serve – is also on the agenda.
Morero said these priorities were endorsed by participating cities across the G20 network and later became the foundation of the U20 communique.
“Throughout the past few months, we have deepened this agenda through a series of high-impact webinars. These platforms drew in a broad spectrum of voices — from the global north and global south, from academia, civil society, and the private sector — reflecting the power of shared urban dialogue in shaping solutions that are not only ambitious but grounded in real experience.
In September, Johannesburg will host the culminating event: the U20 Mayoral Summit, from September 12 to 14.This will be a landmark occasion — not only for our city, but for our nation, Morero added.
Both mayors admitted there is a lot of work to be done to fix the urban decay and restore the cities to their former glory.
The Johannesburg event will also serve as a precursor to the G20 Summit, where global leaders will convene to address pressing international issues.
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Video Courtesy of COT.