UN-Habitat and FAO Strengthen Collaboration to Accelerate the Green Cities Agenda

Rome, Italy, 15 October 2025 — UN-Habitat participated in the First International Conference on Green Cities, convened by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), to advance joint efforts in making cities greener, more resilient, and more inclusive. The conference brought together mayors, city leaders, and experts from across the world to explore integrated approaches to food systems, climate action, and sustainable urban planning.

“At UN-Habitat, we see the Green Cities Initiative as a powerful vehicle to integrate food systems, housing, basic services, land management, and climate action. This aligns closely with our new Strategic Plan 2026–2029, which prioritizes adequate housing, access to basic services, and sustainable land use,” said the Executive Director of UN-Habitat. “Green cities are not only about food systems – they represent an integrated approach where mobility, energy, housing, and urban planning all converge to deliver resilience, equity, and sustainability.”

Throughout the discussions, UN-Habitat emphasized that advancing green cities requires a holistic approach—linking spatial planning, climate action, sustainable food systems and urban-rural linkages, efficient service delivery, and sound local finance. A truly green city promotes renewable energy, sustainable mobility, inclusive housing, nature-based solutions, waste management, economic opportunities, resilience, and well-designed public spaces, supported by effective governance and financing frameworks.

UN-Habitat moderated the session on “Transforming Agrifood Systems for a Sustainable Future,” where cities such as Kisumu (Kenya), Courbevoie (France), and Kampala (Uganda) presented their local innovations in strengthening food systems and urban–rural linkages. The agency also showcased collaborative work under the Green Cities Initiative in Mozambique and Jordan, where integrated urban planning and green infrastructure are improving livelihoods and advancing sustainability.

The conference reaffirmed the importance of the partnership between FAO and UN-Habitat in driving the Green Cities Initiative, highlighting the need for joint implementation, resource mobilization, and country-level collaboration to scale impact and accelerate the transition toward sustainable urban futures.