Call for Expressions of Interest: Global Observance 2024

World Metropolitan Day, commemorated every 14 October, is an opportunity to showcase the potential and achievements of metropolises around the world. It marks the anniversary of the Montreal Declaration on Metropolitan Areas, which recognizes the importance of metropolitan governance and cooperation for sustainable development. Since 2018, Metropolis and UNHabitat have been promoting World Metropolitan Day as part of Urban October, a month-long campaign to raise awareness and action on urban issues.

World Metropolitan Day aims to encourage local, metropolitan and regional governments – and their communities – to share their experiences, best practices and solutions for building resilient, inclusive and innovative metropolises for the future.

Theme 

• The theme for World Metropolitan Day 2024 is “Leading the Just Transition”, which aims to highlight the crucial role metropolises play in addressing the climate crisis and advocates for transformative action.

Participation

• The host city of the Global Observance will work with Metropolis and UN-Habitat to organise the main event programme. The host may invite other stakeholders such as ministers and mayors to take part and support the Global Observance. The general public will be encouraged to get involved, including through global platforms on social media and live streaming.

How can you get involved?

• Spark open dialogues
• Make a commitment
• Mobilize resources
• Showcase success stories
• Make some noise

Eligibility Criteria

• They are now looking for a metropolitan government to host World Metropolitan Day 2024 and lead the global conversation on metropolitan governance. If you are interested in becoming this year’s lead city, you will have to:
  • Be a local, metropolitan or regional government/authority
  • Prepare an event proposal to observe World Metropolitan Day on 14 October 2024. The event proposal should include:
  • Title, theme and related SDGs of the event.
  • Time and physical location. Hybrid events will be prioritised.
  • Brief description of the event, including key objectives (max. 1 page).
  • Plan to promote the event.
  • Strategy to follow up on the outcomes of the event.
  • Tentative list of participants. Please note that the event should invite other governments, peer cities and partners.
• Provide examples of good practice within the host city on issues relating to the themes of World Metropolitan Day.

Terms and Conditions

• Only local, metropolitan or regional governments/authorities can become lead cities.
• Proposals should be submitted in English.
• The lead city will be chosen on a rotative basis. Each year a different world region will lead World Metropolitan Day.

For more information, visit Metropolis.