The ARISE Cities Forum 2025, held in New Delhi, marked a landmark moment in advancing urban climate leadership from the Global South. Designed as a platform to amplify the voice of cities in the international climate dialogue, the Forum brought together over 200 delegates representing 60 cities from 25 countries, showcasing the growing momentum of local governments in shaping global climate agendas.
Co-hosted by ICLEI South Asia and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), the Forum served as a collaborative space for mayors, city officials, policymakers, climate experts, private sector leaders, and international organizations. The focus was clear: how cities can drive inclusive, resilient, and sustainable climate action, especially as the world prepares for COP30 in Belém, Brazil.
Key Outcome: The Delhi Declaration
The central achievement of the Forum was the adoption of the Delhi Declaration on Local Action for Global Climate Goals, a powerful joint statement calling for stronger multilevel climate cooperation, increased financing for urban climate initiatives, and the integration of equity and resilience into climate planning.
The declaration underlines the critical role cities play in meeting national and global climate targets and demands that local governments be empowered as key partners in climate governance. It stresses the importance of aligning local actions with global commitments such as the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Symbolic Handover to COP30
In a ceremonial moment underscoring the Forum’s international relevance, Shankar Lalwani, Member of Parliament and Mentor at Climate Parliament India, officially handed over the Delhi Declaration to Rodrigo De Souza Corradi, Deputy Executive Secretary and Director of ICLEI South America. The document will be formally presented to the COP30 Presidency, ensuring that voices from the Global South’s urban centres are heard at the highest level of climate negotiations.
A Platform for Collaboration
The ARISE Cities Forum 2025 facilitated several thematic discussions on:
- Nature-based urban solutions
- Climate finance for local governments
- Urban adaptation strategies
- Equitable access to climate technologies
- Public-private partnerships in resilience building
It also enabled cross-regional dialogue, allowing cities facing similar climate challenges—such as extreme heat, flooding, and pollution—to share innovative solutions and policy models.
Looking Ahead
As the world increasingly recognizes that climate action must be local to be effective, the ARISE Cities Forum 2025 positions cities—especially from the Global South—as vital climate actors. The Forum not only reinforced the urgency of empowering cities but also showcased how local governments are already leading with ambition, innovation, and commitment.
The legacy of ARISE 2025 will continue through sustained advocacy, city-to-city cooperation, and the active participation of urban leaders in shaping climate policies globally, especially in the lead-up to COP30.
