A General Assembly resolution and a day for cities: how World Cities Day came about
Background
This background goes with the World Cities Day observance at Fuzhou, where urban regeneration was put forward as a way out of the housing crisis.
World Cities Day falls on 31 October every year and was marked for the first time in 2014.
It was created by General Assembly resolution 68/239.
The day closes Urban October, the month of urban events that opens with World Habitat Day.
As with World Habitat Day, the global observance moves to a different city each year and is built around a chosen theme.
The aim of the day is to draw attention to how the world is urbanising, to encourage cooperation between countries and to push for cities that are fair, prosperous and liveable.
The theme for 2026 is "Regenerating the City: Adequate Housing for All" and the global observance is being held at Fuzhou in China.
It is organised jointly by China's Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the Fujian Provincial People's Government and UN-Habitat, with the Fuzhou Municipal People's Government as host.
In plain words
UN-Habitat United Nations Human Settlements Programme — The UN agency for towns, cities and human settlements, and a co-organiser of the global observance.
Urban October Urban October — The month of urban events that runs from World Habitat Day to World Cities Day.