10TH EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE CITIES & TOWNS
Aalborg 2024
Raising the bar for a more sustainable future
The 10th European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns was hosted by ICLEI Europe and the City of Aalborg from 1–3 October 2024.
Marking 30 years since the launch of the Aalborg Charter (1994) and following the path of the Aalborg Commitments (2004), the conference brought together nearly 500 participants from 163 cities and 33 countries, including 30 Mayors and Deputy Mayors, reaffirming the commitment of local leaders to drive Europe’s sustainability transition.
Aalborg2024 took place at a critical juncture for Europe, with a new European Commission taking shape. It offered a timely space for cities and towns to reflect on the movement’s evolution, address urgent global challenges, and define the next steps needed for a just, inclusive and climate-neutral Europe.
The conference resulted in the launch of the Aalborg Conditions, a forward-looking political call that builds on three decades of local action. It outlines three essential shifts required at the national and EU level: shared governance, integrated finance, and a socially fair transition to accelerate the pace of change and unlock the full potential of cities and towns.
Aalborg2024 continued the legacy of the European Sustainable Cities & Towns conferences, following the most recent editions in Mannheim (Germany, 2020) and the Basque Country (Spain, 2016), and reaffirmed the role of local governments as key actors in delivering the European Green Deal and global sustainability agendas.
Aalborg 2024 Conference Report
Find out what happened at Aalborg 2024, who attended and what was achieved, in the Aalborg2024 Conference Report.
Why Aalborg?
2024 marked the 10th anniversary of the European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns, first hosted by the city of Aalborg in 1994, where the Aalborg Charter was formed.
Aalborg welcomed us back in 2004, where the Aalborg Commitments were drawn up.
30 years since the first of these ground-breaking documents was formed, we are delighted to return to Aalborg for #Aalborg2024.
An ancient city where Viking ships once sailed past on the Limfjord, Aalborg has evolved into a vibrant cultural hotspot with a spectacular waterfront of iconic architectural buildings.
Aalborg celebrates both the raw and the refined. From its industrial heritage to the soft seats in Musikkens Hus.
Duality is the epitome of Aalborg.
The Aalborg Charter (1994)
put cities and towns on the map as leaders of sustainability action
created a collective vision of sustainability in 14 consensus declarations
initiated the European Sustainable Cities & Towns campaign
was signed by more than 3,000 local authorities from more than 40 countries
paved the way for local consultation processes and local sustainability action
plans
The Aalborg Commitments (2004)
refined our common understanding and vision of sustainability
built a framework on how to embed sustainability at the local level, across municipality sectors
set qualitative objectives organised into 10 holistic themes
were signed by more than 700 cities and towns
have introduced participatory target setting, time frames for implementation,
monitoring and reporting
The Aalborg Conditions (2024)
are built on the legacy of multiple milestones
are an effort to escape the spiral of inaction
are defining conditions for improving and accelerating local action
affirm the importance of shared governance, integrated finance and a cohesive transition
are open for endorsement
Endorse the Aalborg Conditions
Read the Aalborg Conditions and endorse them today!
Revisit Aalborg2024
Access the full photo album on Flickr here.
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