Benedetto Zacchiroli: Cities' practical experience should be integrated into global vision

Practical experience of cities should be integrated into the global vision, Benedetto Zacchiroli, Chair of the UNESCO International Coalition of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities and President of the European Coalition of Cities Against Racism, said on the second day of Baku Climate Action Week 2026 (BCAW 2026), Report informs.

He said the principles of justice form the foundation of sustainable development and climate action:

"When the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were announced in 2015, we as a network of cities emphasized two key words - integration and resilience. When these are combined, a single concept emerges: justice. This includes both environmental and social justice.

"The UN principle of 'leaving no one behind' should also apply to climate action. Cities cannot be left to deal with adaptation and climate resilience issues on their own."

Zacchiroli emphasized that the views of international city networks should also be taken into account when global climate decisions are made:

"If concrete practical steps are taken at the city level, this would benefit everyone's future. I hope the messages of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) will reach the COP conferences and that the real practical experience of cities will be integrated into the global vision."