Date: Thursday, 21 May 2026
Time: 16:00 - 17:30 (UTC+4, Baku time)
Location: Multipurpose Room 5 - Baku, Azerbaijan
Event type: Networking event - Hybrid (if possible), otherwise in-person (capacity of approx. 80-100 participants)
Virtual/livestream link: TBC
WUF13 Networking Event | Organised by UNEP, IHS–Erasmus University Rotterdam, ICLEI & UN-Habitat
About the Event
Organised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS) of Erasmus University Rotterdam, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, and UN-Habitat, this networking event will explore how multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) can be effectively operationalised at the local level to advance sustainable housing and resilient communities, in line with SDG 11. Held at a pivotal moment ahead of the convergence of the three Rio Convention COPs, the discussion will focus on the evolving role of local and regional governments (LRGs) as key actors in translating global environmental commitments into tangible urban outcomes.
The event will outline how cities and regions advance the implementation of MEAs through legally binding regulations and integrated urban planning, with a focus on housing. It will examine barriers to meaningful LRG engagement in MEA processes and identify concrete entry points to strengthen multilevel environmental governance. Building on insights from the UNEP–IHS White Paper “Global Ambition, Local Action: Facilitating Local and Regional Governments’ Participation for More Effective and Inclusive Multilateral Environmental Agreements”, to be launched during the event, the discussion will highlight concrete city-level examples of how MEA commitments have been translated into local action. Furthermore, as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) 3.0 increasingly recognise cities' role amid converging housing and climate crises, UN-Habitat will share insights on the shift toward more action-oriented urban content in NDCs 3.0.
In line with the event's networking objectives, part of the session will be dedicated to a structured dialogue amongst speakers and participants to discuss ways to strengthen the effective engagement of LRGs across multilateral environmental agreements and how to track this over time. By convening stakeholders operating at different governance levels and with complementary institutional roles, the session aims to catalyse partnerships, reinforce inclusive multilevel governance, and advance the localisation of global frameworks such as the 2030 Agenda and the New Urban Agenda.
Key Objectives
- Launch a new publication: UNEP–IHS White Paper on "Global Ambition, Local Action: Facilitating Local and Regional Governments’ Participation for More Effective and Inclusive Multilateral Environmental Agreements'
- Present indicators for policymakers' use (UNEP–IHS tracker for LRG engagement in MEAs).
- Exchange knowledge and practical experience informing climate and sustainability policies across governance levels.
- Catalyse new partnerships and reinforce multilevel governance for sustainable housing and resilient communities.
If you have any questions or would like more information about the event, please contact cecilia.consalvo@un.org.
