The awarding ceremony of the fourth cycle of the Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award) is held in Fuzhou, Fujian province, on Oct 31.

The Global Observance of World Cities Day 2026 and the fourth cycle of the Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award) opened in Fuzhou, Fujian province, on Oct 31. The event, which ran through Nov 2, brought together more than 1,000 participants from China and abroad, including over 300 international guests from more than 60 countries and about 10 international organizations.

Held under the theme "Regenerating the City: Adequate Housing for All", the event was jointly hosted by China's Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, UN-Habitat, and the People's Government of Fujian Province. The Fuzhou Municipal People's Government and the Fujian Provincial Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development served as organizers.

A highlight of the opening ceremony was the presentation of the fourth Shanghai Award. Of the 92 cities worldwide that submitted applications, 15 were shortlisted, with five ultimately selected by an international jury: Addis Ababa, Santiago de Cali, Istanbul, Jingdezhen, and Katowice.

The ceremony also featured the release of the outcomes of the World Cities Day Campaign (Fuzhou), "My City, My Home", the 2026 edition of the Shanghai Manual and the Shanghai Index Application Report. A memorandum of understanding was also signed by the organizers, UN-Habitat, and China's Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development to promote the establishment of an international alliance for the Shanghai Award.

The opening program included speeches by international representatives and a roundtable discussion titled, "Regenerating the City Dialogue". Representatives from Fuzhou, Bogota, Katowice, Kampala, Palu, and other cities exchanged views on urban renewal and efforts to create more livable communities.

Launched globally for the first time, the "My City, My Home" campaign invited people to use their hands to form a frame and capture urban scenes they take pride in. It attracted submissions from more than 320 cities across over 100 countries, generating 110 million online views.

Established at China's initiative within the United Nations, World Cities Day is the UN's first international day dedicated to cities. It serves as an important platform for advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the New Urban Agenda.

As a recipient of the inaugural Shanghai Award, Fuzhou has continued to advance sustainable urban development and expand its international partnerships. This year's global observance placed urban renewal at the center of discussions on how cities can become more livable and inclusive. A series of related activities, including thematic forums, exhibitions, and field visits, were also held.