The Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award) was jointly established by UN-Habitat and Shanghai Municipality. The Shanghai Award aims to accelerate the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the New Urban Agenda by focusing on SDG 11, promoting the localization of SDGs, and incentivizing cities to find systematic solutions for sustainable urban development. 

Eligibility 

The award is open to cities all around the world to recognize and honour their progress and achievements in implementing the SDGs and the NUA at city level since 2016, when the implementation of the 2030 Agenda was formally initiated.

Theme

The general theme of the award is "Building a Sustainable Urban Future for All". Each cycle features specific focus areas in alignment with the theme of World Cities Day and in response to emerging priorities in global sustainable urban development. 

Selection and recognition 

An international jury selects winning cities based on their impact, innovation, sustainability, and adaptability. Each cycle of the award has honoured up to five cities. The award ceremony is usually planned during the observance of World Cities Day in a selected city where winning cities will receive a plaque and a trophy. Outstanding practices and achievements in sustainable urban development from the winning cities are added to the best practices database of the New Urban Agenda platform and the Shanghai Manual annual report. Winning cities also have the opportunity to participate in major international events, gaining opportunities to exchange best practices with other cities, boost potential investment, and create new opportunities for local economic development.

Cities honoured in the 1st cycle of the Shanghai Award at the 2023 China National Observance of World Cities Day in Shanghai, China: 

1. Brisbane, Australia 
2. Fuzhou, China 
3. Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia 
4. Kampala, Uganda 
5. Salvador, Brazil

Cities honoured in the 2nd cycle of the Shanghai Award at the 2024 Global Observance of World Cities Day in Alexandria, Egypt:  

1. Agadir, Morocco 
2. Doha, Qatar 
3. Iztapalapa, Mexico 
4. Melbourne, Australia 
5. Thiruvananthapuram, India 

For more information, please visit shanghaiaward.org or send your inquiries to outreach@shanghaiaward.org.