The Cities Countdown to 2030 in action, Housing as a driver of Global Agenda delivery

Across the world, cities and regions are advancing transformative approaches that connect housing with public services, climate action, social cohesion, and economic development. Through the Cities Countdown to 2030 (CC2030), UCLG’s flagship initiative, these local solutions are structured into policy and investment pipelines that demonstrate how global agendas—the 2030 Agenda, the New Urban Agenda, and the Pact for the Future—are being delivered on the ground through political leadership and place-based action. Rooted in six key transitions with catalytic and multiplier effects across the SDGs, the CC2030 contributes directly to the Localization High-Impact Initiative. At WUF13, this approach responds to the urgency of the global housing crisis and to the renewed recognition of adequate housing as a human right and a precondition for safe, inclusive, and resilient cities. By framing housing not as a standalone sector but as a cross-cutting entry point—linking climate resilience, food systems, energy access, jobs, education, and digital inclusion—the CC2030 shows how integrated local public service provision can accelerate progress across the SDGs while grounding global commitments in everyday realities. The event positions the CC2030 as both a political and programmatic infrastructure for delivery, reinforcing the role of local and regional governments as key political actors at a time of renewed pressure on multilateralism. It also connects CC2030 to broader UCLG political processes converging in 2026, notably the Local Social Covenant and the 100 Days of Local Multilateralism, creating space for collective dialogue with civil society, structured partnerships, and shared commitments in the lead-up to the SDG11 review at the HLPF 2026. By bringing concrete local evidence, delivery experiences, and integrated housing approaches into global discussions, the event contributes directly to WUF13 outcomes, including the WUF Perspectives and the Baku Call to Action. It strengthens alignment between CC2030 and key multilateral cycles—such as the New Urban Agenda 10-Year Framework and the UCLG World Congress 2026—while identifying partnership and investment pathways to scale local solutions. Ultimately, the event reinforces and expands the Cities Countdown to 2030 pipeline, highlighting replicable models of integrated urban delivery and strengthening the visibility of housing and urban regeneration as accelerators of sustainable development towards 2030.