Cities as Frontline Climate Actors
Delhi Declaration Strengthens Global South Cities at COP30: The Delhi Declaration on Local Action for Global Climate Goals was adopted on October 9, 2025, during the first ARISE Cities Forum in New Delhi. It highlights the crucial role of cities from the Global South in global climate action. The declaration amplifies urban voices, ensuring local governments are recognized as key partners in the climate regime.
Static GK fact: COP30 will be held in Belém, Brazil in 2025.
Cities concentrate populations, emissions, and vulnerabilities. They are hubs for climate solutions including efficient infrastructure, public transport, waste management, water systems, and nature-based cooling. Historically, urban priorities have been peripheral in international climate negotiations.
ARISE Cities Forum and Objectives
ARISE stands for Adaptive, Resilient, Innovative, Sustainable, and Equitable. It is ICLEI South Asia’s flagship urban resilience forum. The 2025 edition, themed “From Bharat to Belém,” convened over 200 delegates from 60 cities across 25 countries.
The forum engaged mayors, municipal leaders, national representatives, private sector actors, and international organizations. The Delhi Declaration serves as the collective output, to be forwarded to COP30.
Static GK Tip: ICLEI was established in 1990 to support sustainable urban development globally.
Core Commitments of the Delhi Declaration
The declaration outlines actionable priorities to strengthen local climate action:
- Advance resourced multilevel NDCs (NDCs 3.0) for measurable urban climate impact
- Drive inclusive urban resilience through adaptation, circular economy, and nature-based solutions
- Promote just and participatory green transitions toward net-zero emissions
- Empower citizens, women, youth, and communities in climate governance
- Strengthen multilevel governance and transparent, interoperable data systems
- Mobilise climate finance and expand direct access for cities
- Champion Global South leadership via South–South and triangular cooperation
Thematic Focus Areas
The two-day forum emphasized practical challenges and solutions for cities:
- Bridging gaps between national climate ambitions and local implementation
- Circularity in water and waste systems
- Sustainable urban food systems
- Nature-based climate solutions and urban heat management
- Clean mobility, transit-oriented development, and disaster management
- Digital planning tools, climate finance instruments, and governance innovations
Static GK fact: The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) partnered with ICLEI South Asia to organize ARISE Cities Forum 2025.
The Delhi Declaration sets a precedent for stronger locally grounded climate action. By elevating cities from the Global South, it ensures urban priorities are central to COP30 negotiations and beyond.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Delhi Declaration Strengthens Global South Cities at COP30:
| Topic | Detail |
| Event Name | ARISE Cities Forum 2025 |
| Declaration Name | Delhi Declaration on Local Action for Global Climate Goals |
| Date of Adoption | October 9, 2025 |
| Location | New Delhi, India |
| Organizers | ICLEI South Asia and National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) |
| Participants | Over 200 delegates from 60 cities in 25 countries |
| Core Focus | Urban resilience, climate finance, nature-based solutions, inclusive transitions |
| COP Reference | Declaration handed over to COP30 Presidency in Belém, Brazil |
| Key Themes | Circularity, clean mobility, urban food systems, multilevel governance |
| Target Groups | Citizens, women, youth, local governments, Global South leadership |
