Ahmedabad is all set to host the Urban 20 (U20) meet from February 9-10 which expects participation of delegations from as many as 35 international cities. The goal of the meet is to offer perspectives, ideas, and concerns from cities to enhance and inform the overall negotiations of the bigger forum of G20.

Ahmedabad, being a fast-paced metropolitan city of India, will be chairing the 6th edition of U20 this year. U20 is an engagement group under G20 and a city diplomacy initiative, comprising cities from G20 countries. It will bring together mayors of leading cities in the G20.

The itinerary for the delegates incorporates a visit to the Adalaj Step Well, a networking dinner, excursion to Sabarmati Ashram and Atal Bridge, Sabarmati Riverfront, a gala cuisine, cultural programmes, a Plenary Session with Gujarat CM and an address on ‘G20- Call for Action’. There would also be a session on 'U20 2023 Cycle: Context Setting' with presentations by Ahmedabad's and Jakarta's Sherpas (representatives), besides other discussions and sessions.

India's PM will also be joining in and addressing the inaugural session of the Urban-20 City Sherpas' inception meeting virtually on February 9. High authorities are expected to be a part of the event.

The meeting is expected to expedite a productive dialogue between national and local governments, discuss major urban development issues in the G20 agenda, converse about crucial issues of climate change, promotion of social inclusion, provision of affordable housing, and emphasise on coming up with collective solutions.

The overall aim is to promote solidarity of the cities and discuss vital urban development concerns. Taking the sustainable development agenda forward is also one objective. Standing in sync with India’s G20 theme of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, the U20 meet will be focussing on actions at city level that can engender positive global outcomes.

The emerging outcomes from the meet will culminate in U20 Mayors Summit coming up in July 2023.