Kampala has earned global recognition after emerging among the first winners of the Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities, also known as the Shanghai Award. The announcement was made during the World Cities Day China Observance held in Shanghai from October 28 to 31, 2023, an international event organized by UN-Habitat in partnership with the Government of China and the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government.The Shanghai Award was jointly established by UN-Habitat and the Shanghai Government to recognize cities that have demonstrated exceptional commitment and tangible progress in implementing the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The accolade places Kampala among a select group of cities that are driving inclusive, resilient and sustainable urban transformation.Competition for the award was intense, with 54 cities from 16 countries submitting applications. These cities represented diverse economic backgrounds, population sizes and development levels, and were evaluated on performance in economic vitality, urban prosperity, environmental sustainability, safety and resilience, as well as institutional capacity for long-term urban development.Kampala was selected alongside Salvador in Brazil, Brisbane in Australia, George Town in Malaysia’s Penang State, and Fuzhou City in southeastern China. The recognition highlights the city’s growing influence and credibility in global urban development conversations.The awards were presented by United Nations Under-Secretary-General and UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif, together with Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng. In her remarks, Maimunah emphasized that the Shanghai Award celebrates practical action and measurable impact, commending cities that are actively improving the quality of life for their residents.She encouraged more cities worldwide to participate in the initiative, describing it as a platform for sharing experiences, lessons and innovations. According to her, the exchange of ideas through the award can help cities build capacity, attract investment and accelerate progress toward a sustainable urban future.Kampala was specifically recognized for its forward-looking approaches to social, economic and environmental development. The city’s initiatives were praised for aligning local priorities with global Sustainable Development Goals, demonstrating how urban policy and innovation can work together to deliver inclusive growth.Speaking on behalf of the international judging panel, Wu Zhiqiang of the Chinese Academy of Engineering noted that the award goes beyond economic strength or physical appearance. He stressed that true urban excellence lies in clear sustainability goals, strong implementation strategies and the ability to generate solutions that can be shared and replicated globally, a standard Kampala was found to have met.
