Joburg’s glittering track record for hosting significant global gatherings has continued to gain steady momentum, with a host of important international events taking place here over the past year, firmly cementing Johannesburg as Africa’s leading city in stature.
During 2013 the city witnessed an influx of high profile visitors connected with numerous events – from the presidents, global leaders and royalty paying their respects after the passing Nelson Madiba in , beloved global icon and Freeman of the City – to some 500 delegates from more than 40 countries around the world, who attended the four-day Metropolis Annual Meeting in July, themed “Caring Cities” and focused on investigating methods and ways in which cities can become more responsive to increasing challenges facing them.
During the conference, delegates examined new new and innovative ways of improving the quality of life of residents, accessing opportunities and easing the plight of the vulnerable while sustaining high levels of production and service delivery. The City of Johannesburg, used the opportunity to build a network of initiatives with other metropolitan governments and their collaborating partners, to promote urban sustainability as well as environmental, economic, social and cultural projects.
Another international highlight on Joburg’s calendar was the high profile One Young World Summit in October, which saw 1500 the world’s youthful leaders sharing the stage with inspiring luminaries like former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, activitist and musicisian Bob Geldhof and Muhammad Yunus, founder, Grameen Bank and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
Earlier this month, mayors and top officials from more than 44 cities will join global leaders in Johannesburg for the fifth biennial C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group Mayors Summit to, discuss their measurable action and future opportunity for action in the fight to address climate change and climate risks.
