Sustainable Cities and Communities: An Environmental Perspective

The member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, despite differences in their economic and social models, are united by common challenges in the fields of the environment and urbanisation.

The historical legacy of industrialisation, climatic features, and the transboundary nature of many environmental problems make cooperation on sustainable urban development not merely relevant, but critically important. Today, SCO+ cities are at the epicentre of a contradiction: on the one hand, they remain drivers of economic growth; on the other, they face the consequences of outdated approaches to planning, resource consumption and ecosystem management. Cities face unique environmental challenges: outdated infrastructure, high levels of air pollution, a shortage of green spaces and inefficient waste management. At the same time, the region has significant potential for implementing innovative solutions within the framework of the ESG agenda. This session is dedicated to analysing the environmental aspects of sustainable development in the SCO cities, exchanging experience between member states and exploring ways to integrate environmental strategies into urban planning.

The goal of the session is to develop recommendations for creating environmentally sustainable urban systems in SCO+ through the implementation of "green" technologies, improved resource management, and strengthened international cooperation.