The 2026 SDG Cities Global Conference was held in Shanghai on Monday, gathering approximately 400 participants — including around 100 international guests from over 30 countries and regions — to discuss ideas and practical approaches for improving living conditions and enhancing city functions through urban renewal.
Participants of the event — jointly organized by the Shanghai municipal government and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, or UN-Habitat — are government representatives from home and abroad, mayors and city representatives, experts and scholars, and representatives from international organizations.
The 2026 edition of the Shanghai Manual: A Guide for Sustainable Urban Development in the 21st Century was released at the conference, which is part of the events related to World Cities Day.
First published in 2011, the manual is a renewable international document for sharing global experiences in sustainable urban development. This year's manual features 23 case studies from 19 countries and regions, focusing on housing improvement, urban renewal, climate resilience, community governance, cultural heritage, and financial innovation, showcasing global human-centered practices in advancing housing security.
During the conference, mayors and representatives of the winning cities of the fourth Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities, also known as the Shanghai Award, shared their experiences. Initiated by UN-Habitat and the Shanghai municipal government in 2022, with the first awards presented in Shanghai in 2023, the Shanghai Award is an international accolade jointly recognizing cities worldwide that have provided comprehensive solutions and made significant progress in sustainable development.
The fourth Shanghai Award recipients were Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, Jingdezhen in China, Istanbul in Turkiye, Santiago de Cali in Colombia, and Katowice in Poland. An award ceremony was held in Fuzhou city, Fujian province, on Saturday, and winning cities shared experiences at an event on the following day.
World Cities Day originated from the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. With the concept of "Better City, Better Life", it has provided a platform for implementing the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and promoting mutual learning among global cities.
