In 2026, COP31 will be hosted in Türkiye, with Australia assuming the COP presidency of negotiations. This is a defining role for Australia and the Pacific to influence global climate discussions in the lead-up to, and at the conference in November.

In recognition of Australia’s position in the global climate agenda, UNAA Victoria and the City of Melbourne are partnering to deliver a series of seven events to highlight climate action and the localising of the United Nations’ 17 SDGs.

UNAA Victoria is dedicated to engaging local communities in advancing the SDGs, including those related to human rights and climate change.

City of Melbourne is a global leader on climate action and sustainability, winning the 2024 UN-Habitat Shanghai Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities. Melbourne was also the first Australian city to produce an SDGs Voluntary Local Review. Together, we play crucial roles in connecting the community to climate and sustainability action frameworks provided by the SDGs.

We will run events exploring and discussing the relationship of the climate with food security, gender equality, health, sustainable cities and communities, circular economies, climate leadership in action and partnerships for action.

Keep an eye out for our next event!

Event 4: Climate and Sustainable Cities and Communities: Implications and actions for Melbourne

Climate and Sustainable Cities and Communities: SDG11

As cities continue to grow and respond to climate change, the challenge is how best to build cities that are sustainable, fairer and more inclusive. With cities now home to 45% of the world’s population (more than double than in 1950), urban resilience will feature prominently in discussions at the UN’s 2026 Climate Conference, COP31.

Against this backdrop, this event will bring together people who are interested in exploring what it takes to build a genuinely sustainable and inclusive city and community, and how we can do that in Melbourne?

Are you person working on – or who has an idea for – an innovative project which can contribute to Melbourne as a sustainable city and community? Bring your projects/ideas along to this interactive event which will focus on ways that we can use innovation to ensure Melbourne’s sustainability in the face of climate change.  Or just come along to find out what is happening in Melbourne!

Sustainability leaders will talk about how they are contributing to achieving SDGs 11 and 13 in Melbourne before everyone will be able to move between these leaders for informal conversations.

This event is being presented in collaboration with the UNAA Victoria Future Leaders Network and the Planning Institute of Australia Emerging Planners

Get your tickets HERE

*Free for under 22/ Pay what you can