In the lead-up to COP30, a series of high-level gatherings will take place in Rio de Janeiro from November 3–6, 2025, bringing together mayors and local leaders from around the world. These events will spotlight bold city leadership on climate action, highlight subnational priorities, and mobilize resources for an ambitious and inclusive COP30 agenda. The program will feature two main moments: the COP30 Local Leaders Forum and the GPSC Mayors Round Table and Urban Nature Forum. 

 

The GPSC Mayors Round Table and Urban Nature Forum (November 5–6), convened by the Global Platform for Sustainable Cities (GPSC) – led by the World Bank with the support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) – together with International Finance Corporation (IFC) and in collaboration with UNEP, C40, ICLEI, WRI, and other partners, will provide a platform for high-level dialogue, peer learning, and technical exchange. It will position cities and local governments as key actors in achieving nature-positive, resilient, and inclusive development ahead of COP30, and mark the official launch of the GEF-8 Sustainable Cities Integrated Program (SCIP), a global initiative to help cities implement integrated solutions across climate, biodiversity, and the circular economy. 

 

The GPSC events will include: 

 

- Mayors Round Table (November 5)—a high-level dialogue among city leaders on sustainable and inclusive urban development, including the official launch of the GEF-8 SCIP. 

- Urban Nature Forum (November 6) – focusing on urban nature policy, planning, and financing to scale solutions for climate resilience and biodiversity. 

 

More details will be provided soon.