At the first ARISE Cities Forum 2025 in New Delhi, the Delhi Declaration on Local Action for Global Climate Goals emerged as a landmark step to empower cities and local governments as central actors in global climate governance. The Declaration, to be presented at the upcoming COP30 in Belém, Brazil, brings together urban leaders from the Global South in a united call for strong multilevel cooperation and accelerated climate action.
Unifying Urban Voices for Climate Action
Over 200 delegates representing 60 cities in 25 countries—across government, private sector, and civil society—endorsed the Declaration. The forum, co-hosted by ICLEI South Asia and NIUA, underscored urban priorities of resilience, equity, and sustainability within global climate frameworks. Minister of State Shri Tokhan Sahu inaugurated the event, affirming cities’ vital role amid rapid urbanization and mounting ecological challenges.
Key Commitments of the Delhi Declaration
The Declaration, handed over as a collective voice of the Global South by Shri Shankar Lalwani (MP, Climate Parliament) to Rodrigo De Souza Corradi (ICLEI South America), includes actionable commitments:
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Advance local climate action via measurable, well-resourced multilevel NDCs (NDCs 3.0).
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Drive inclusive urban resilience through adaptation, circular economy, and nature-based solutions.
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Promote just, participatory transitions towards net-zero.
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Empower citizens, women, youth, and communities in climate governance.
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Strengthen multilevel governance and robust, transparent data systems.
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Expand climate finance and direct city access to funding.
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Champion urban leadership via South–South and triangular cooperation.
Raising the Bar for Urban Climate Diplomacy
The Declaration aligns with COP30’s action agenda and the Global Stocktake, reflecting demands for the systemic inclusion of local priorities in global climate policy. Forum discussions ranged from circularity in water/waste, nature-based solutions, climate finance, digital planning, to clean mobility. This move transforms the narrative from top-down national pledges to practical, city-led climate action—ensuring cities are not only heard but recognized as crucial partners in climate decisions.
Conclusion
From Bharat to Belém, the Delhi Declaration creates momentum for the COP30 climate talks and sets a new bar for the role of cities—especially from the Global South—in tackling global climate crises. Its focus on actionable, locally anchored, and inclusive change marks a watershed moment for multilevel climate diplomacy.
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Source: PIB
