Our annual gathering

The Regions4 global community met in Rio de Janeiro from June 26 to 28 to call on national governments, the United Nations, and international organizations to fully support subnational governments in addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The General Assembly was held under the theme “Empowered Regions Shaping a Sustainable, Just and Resilient Future.”

Delegates from around the world had the opportunity to engage with the renewed Regions4 leadership, fellow and new members, and to participate in high-level political dialogues, open exchanges, and technical workshops with a focus on finance for resilience. The annual gathering also marked the adoption of ‘The Rio de Janeiro Political Declaration,’ a powerful call for a renewed UN system that empowers subnational governments to lead the way in achieving transformative actions today for a sustainable tomorrow.

Location: Casa G20 (Avenida Vieira Souto, 176, Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and Hybrid

 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Renewed political leadership

  • The Rio de Janeiro Declaration: Empowered Regions Shaping a Sustainable, Just and Resilient Future

  • Financing Resilience International Forum

  • Strengthening strategic partnerships

  • Welcoming new members

Together, let's pave the way for a sustainable tomorrow

Leading by example, this year’s General Assembly was proud to be an eco-friendly event. Regions4, the Basque, and the Rio de Janeiro governments worked together to implement the Sustainable Event Pilot, based on the methodology Erronka Garbia developed by the Basque Country, with best practices to reduce the carbon footprint of events. The General Assembly featured specific initiatives such as zero plastics, zero printing, and active engagement with local producers. These efforts demonstrated a commitment to sustainability, setting a new standard for eco-friendly events at Regions4.

Regions4 adopted ‘The Rio de Janeiro Political Declaration – Empowered Regions, Shaping a Sustainable, Fair and Resilient Future‘ asking for higher recognition and inclusion of regions in the United Nations decision-making system, through the creation of formal mechanisms that formalise region’s role in the UN system.

 

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