Cities are at the forefront of addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development challenges. Launched under the Global Environment Facility’s sixth replenishment (GEF-6), the Sustainable Cities Integrated Approach Pilot (SC-IAP) pioneered a new model for urban sustainability by combining integrated city-level investments with a global knowledge and partnership platform, the Global Platform for Sustainable Cities (GPSC).

Implemented across 28 cities in 11 countries, the program demonstrated how coordinated planning, policy reform, finance, capacity building, and knowledge exchange can drive transformational urban change and generate multiple environmental, social, and economic benefits. The pilot helped cities integrate sustainability into planning processes, advance low-carbon and nature-positive development, strengthen municipal finance, and foster collaboration across sectors and institutions.

Drawing on nearly a decade of implementation experience, this report captures the key achievements, lessons learned, and six strategic insights that have shaped the evolution of the GEF Cities Program under GEF-7 and GEF-8 and informed its continued expansion into GEF-9. It offers valuable guidance for governments, development partners, practitioners, and city leaders seeking to accelerate integrated, resilient, and sustainable urban development at scale.