City of Tshwane Mayor, Dr Nasiphi Moya, has described the 8th cycle of the Urban 20 (U20) – which is co-chaired by the City of Tshwane and Johannesburg - as a moment for Africa to lead.
The Mayor was delivering remarks at the launch of the 8th cycle of the U20 on Monday.
The U20 is an engagement group of the Group of 20 (G20). South Africa has taken over the Presidency of the G20 for 2025.
“This is our moment to lead. Not just as the City of Tshwane or the City of Johannesburg, but as Africa’s voice in the global urban conversation.
“Through U20 2025, we have the opportunity to shape a future that is just, sustainable, and inclusive. A future where African cities are not just participants but leaders in the global urban agenda.
“As co-hosts of U20 2025, our mission is clear: to ensure that the voice of African cities is heard on the world stage and that the priorities of the Global South are brought into the G20 agenda,” Moya said.
The U20 is a city diplomacy initiative which includes cities from the G20 countries and this year’s theme will be “Cities Leading the Way in Reimagining Global Change”.
Key priorities for this year include:
• Economic opportunities and financing
• Climate action and urban resilience
• Social inclusion and equity
• Digital transformation and innovation
Engaging citizens
Moya highlighted that although this year’s U20 will build on the foundation laid by last year’s co-chairs São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, “our goal is to ensure that this presidency reflects the realities of African cities and the needs of our communities”.
“U20 is a global initiative, but its success will not be measured in communiqués and declarations alone. Its impact must be felt at a local level.
“This is not just about diplomatic meetings and international cooperation. It is about real economic opportunities, real investment, and real solutions for our people. It is about ensuring that the people of Tshwane and Johannesburg see themselves in this process and feel its benefits.
“We must use this platform not just to advocate for our cities on the global stage, but to showcase their resilience, innovation, and leadership to our own communities,” she said.
Pressing further, Moya emphasised that the impact of the U20 “must extend beyond government officials and politicians” who will gather for the U20 Sherpa Summit and African Mayor’s Assembly in June and the Mayoral Summit in September.
“We are committed to ensuring that the U20 process engages the people it is meant to serve. That means creating spaces for public dialogue and community participation, ensuring that our residents have a voice in shaping urban policies.
“It means fostering connections between local entrepreneurs and global investors, creating pathways for businesses to grow. It means recognising that Tshwane, as a knowledge hub, has world-class institutions that must be part of this conversation.
“Cities are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, economic inequality, and social exclusion. It is time for our voices to be heard at the highest levels of global decision-making,” Moya said. – SAnews.gov.za
