A 2nd Conference on Cities and Climate Change promoted by ICLEI – the world's leading association of local governments dedicated to sustainable development – in partnership with the Municipal Government of Fortaleza will be held on February 24th and 25th, in Fortaleza. This is the first national event on the topic after CoP21.

The aim of the event is to seek, based on the decisions made by the Paris Agreement, ways to deepen discussions on the role of cities in tackling climate change in Brazil, best practices, regional initiatives and tools available to Brazilian cities, and the path to be trodden for climate variables to be incorporated into urban development in the country with ambition and scale.

“The Paris Agreement has established a new institutional framework for tackling climate change in which municipal and state governments are recognised as essential actors for implementing transformative actions in the urban environment,” recalls Pedro Roberto Jacobi, president of the South America Secretariat of ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability.

“This discussion takes on even greater importance because we will have municipal elections across Brazil this year, and the issue of climate change cannot be left out of the campaign, the debates, and the candidates” platforms," he/she adds.

The project's closure will also take place during the event. Urban LED's, a four-year programme funded by the European Union and developed by ICLEI and UN-Habitat in 37 cities across Brazil, India, Indonesia and South Africa to demonstrate inclusive, low-carbon urban development strategies under accelerated growth and transition conditions.

The British Embassy, through the resources of the Prosperity Fund, is also supporting the event. Having worked in partnership with ICLEI on projects related to the urban climate and infrastructure agenda since 2010, the fund will enable British experts to participate and share experiences with Brazilian cities.

The II Conference on Cities and Climate Change will feature, among speakers, debaters, and attendees, the participation of mayors from Brazil, as well as representatives from State Governments, the Federal Government, and cities from other South American countries. Representatives from institutions related to the theme are also expected, such as ABEMA, AFD, ANAMMA, Avina, BID, CB27, CAF, Future Cities Catapult, CDP, CEBDS, FONARI, FNP, Fundação Grupo Boticário, Fundação Konrad Adenauer, GIZ, ITDP, LEDS LAC, MercoCiudades, UN-Habitat, SASA, SOS Mata Atlântica, WRI, WWF, among others.

The event takes place at the Ceará Events Centre and registrations can be made on the website. http://iclei.org.br/jornadaclima/

ABOUT ICLEI – The principal global association of local governments dedicated to sustainable development, ICLEI promotes local action for global sustainability and supports cities in becoming sustainable, resilient, resource-efficient, biodiverse, and low-carbon; in building smart infrastructure and developing a green and inclusive urban economy with the ultimate goal of achieving happy and healthy communities. This global movement brings together over 1000 states, metropolises, and small and medium-sized cities in 86 countries. Its Secretariat for South America (ICLEI SAMS) supports a network of over 40 South American cities representing more than 100 million inhabitants in 8 countries, such as Quito, Curitiba, Manaus, Ñuñoa, São José dos Campos, and Bogotá.