Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero has called for stronger cooperation between African cities and greater leadership in shaping the global urban agenda.
Morero was speaking at the African Mayors Assembly in Pretoria on Thursday.
He said Johannesburg was proud to walk the co-chairing journey with Tshwane, not only as neighbouring cities but as true partners committed to reimagining the role of African cities both within the continent and on the global stage.
He emphasised that African cities must play a bigger role in shaping global discussions about urban development and that the unity shown by Johannesburg and Tshwane reflects the direction African cities must take, working together with purpose and ambition.
He said that when Johannesburg took over the Urban 20 chairmanship from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in November 2024, it did so with the clear goal of bringing African voices to the centre of G20 discussions.
Four main priorities
Morero added that he wanted Africa to achieve this mission not as observers on the sidelines but as active contributors to solving global challenges from an urban perspective.
“When we assumed the U20 chairmanship from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro last November, we made a conscious decision to bring the voices of African cities into the centre of G20 deliberation, not as peripheral observers, but as strategic contributors to the global future,” said Morero.
He also shared the four main priorities that Johannesburg and Tshwane have set for their U20 leadership.
These include expanding economic opportunities and improving urban financing, because cities need the right tools and resources to grow fairly and create jobs for people.
Climate action and urban resilience are also key, especially since African cities face some of the worst effects of climate change despite contributing the least to the problem.
Another major focus is social inclusion, to ensure that all communities can benefit from development and not be left behind.
He said that digital transformation and innovation are considered essential, noting that digital governance is no longer something for the future but is already shaping how cities must operate.
Morero added that these priorities were not created in isolation but have been shaped through dialogue and refined by the many global webinars and workshops co-hosted by Johannesburg and Tshwane with their U20 partners.
Engines of innovation
He also thanked organisations such as UCLG and C40 for their support and collaboration throughout the process.
As the Sherpa Summit in Tshwane moves towards finalising the 2025 U20 Communique, Morero urged all participants to be bold and confident.
He said cities are not junior partners in development but rather the engines of innovation and the closest link between government and the people.
He invited the assembly to Johannesburg for the U20 Mayoral Summit in September, where the final communique will be presented to national leaders.
Morero emphasised that this moment was not only about discussion but also leadership and action.
“Colleagues, friends, this is our time. This is not just a time for gathering but also for leading. It’s not just about speaking, but also about shaping.
“Let this Sherpa Summit reflect the urgency, courage, and unity that our cities demand,” Morero said.
