Cities are at the forefront of tackling global challenges. They work towards liveable neighbourhoods and promote values such as freedom, democracy and human rights.
However, the tense global situation – from the impacts of climate change to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine – is putting cities and urban development under pressure. Cities need to drive climate-friendly, socially just transitions while promoting economic growth. Ukrainian municipalities, in particular, face the challenge of implementing urban transformation and reconstruction amid the war.
The German Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB) is basing its approach on its long-standing cooperation with partners, such as Ukraine, the United States or the United Kingdom, and its role in the Group of Seven (G7) industrialised nations. It wants to use its expertise and relationships to promote urban transformation, especially in Ukraine.
The programme supports BMWSB in preparing for the annual G7 meeting of urban development ministers and in shaping related processes. By doing so, it supports the role of the representatives of urban development ministries in the G7 countries. This improves coordination and allows better preparation of global initiatives.
The programme also supports BMWSB in using the Ministry’s expertise and networks to drive forward reconstruction in Ukraine.
Based on the contributions to the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) held in Berlin in 2024, the programme is developing and implementing further contributions. In addition, it supports cooperation with intergovernmental partners such as Poland and the United Kingdom.