The head of the United Nations Organization called for working with cities to build a sustainable, inclusive and resilient planet for all.

However, he noted that ‘an honest look reveals a bleak picture’, with the halfway mark for achieving the SDGs next year.

‘On a number of critical goals -from poverty and hunger to gender equality and education- we are not seeing progress, but setbacks,’ Guterres said.

‘We must change course, and we can,’ he said. Currently, more than half of the people live in urban areas and, in 2050, more than two thirds will do so, the Secretary General recalled.

Cities generate more than 80 percent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product and account for about 70 percent of carbon emissions.

Similarly, many cities are already leading the transition to renewable energy, setting credible zero-emissions targets and building climate-resilient infrastructure, he added.

Since 2014, every October 31, World Cities Day is celebrated with the aim of promoting interest in urbanization and fostering cooperation between countries to take advantage of opportunities.

The theme of this year’s commemoration is ‘Act local to be global’ and is based in Shanghai, considered the financial heart of China.

The 17 SDGs, approved in 2015, seek to combat climate change, manage forests, stop the loss of biodiversity, make cities more inclusive, safe and resilient, in addition to promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns.

ef/jha/cgc