City of Johannesburg Mayor Cllr Dada Morero has sent a powerful message to G20 conveners, urging them to recognise the indispensable role of cities in addressing global challenges, provide the necessary resources, and partner with local governments to turn ambition into concrete outcomes.

“The U20 Communiqué is our call to action, a demand that the G20 recognise the critical role of cities, provide the resources we need, and work with us to turn ambition into outcomes that matter,” said Morero.

Speaking at the U20 Closing Plenary in Sandton on Sunday, Morero highlighted three key priorities for the G20: Direct funding for cities, stronger partnerships, and an enhanced role for local governments in shaping global decisions.

“The U20 Communiqué we have developed is more than words on a page; it is our collective voice. It is a statement that cities are not waiting for permission,” he said. “The communiqué carries the weight of our shared experience, our ideas, and our commitment to leave no city and no community behind.”

Echoing these sentiments, City of Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya affirmed Tshwane’s full endorsement of the communiqué. “This communiqué speaks directly to the priorities of our city and the daily struggles of our people. As the Council of Tshwane, we stand firmly behind it, recognising that it reflects the urgent needs of our communities.”

The three-day summit, which brought together city leaders, experts, and partners for discussions on urban priorities and global challenges, was also praised by Mayor of Freetown and Co-Chair of C40 Cities, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr.

“The U20 summit hasn’t been a talk show: every single one of the priorities listed in the U20 Communiqué speaks to the specific issues that our residents face, that citizens around the world face. It reinforces our positions as cities, gives direction, and provides central governments with an opportunity to more clearly incorporate the work that our cities are doing.”

Mark Watts, the Executive Director of C40 Cities, described the communiqué as signalling a new era of multilateralism. “This communiqué signals a new era where cities are no longer bystanders but co-authors of a shared global future. It is a powerful statement of our collective commitment to a just transition, proving that meaningful climate action is inseparable from social equity.”

UCLG Secretary-General Emilia Saiz said the U20 communiqué demonstrates cities’ power to rebuild democratic trust, shape global transformation, and advance a renewed vision of multilateralism. “We are not only demonstrating what cities can do but offering a new vision for the world and renewed multilateralism.”

The U20 Communiqué was officially received by the Minister for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Velenkosi Hlabisa, who pledged to deliver it to the G20 Summit in November.

Written by Zingiswa Mndayi

15/09/2025