Dear UBC colleagues,
As we all look forward to a well-deserved summer break filled with family gatherings, new adventures and time for hobbies, I would like to take this opportunity to inspire your plans for the autumn as well! We have prepared a range of exciting opportunities for you to collaborate, exchange ideas and get engaged in shaping sustainable urban transition agendas!
Let me begin with a sincere invitation to the event closest to my heart – our annual Sustainable Cities Commission meeting taking place this year in Malmö from 1-3 October 2025. Preparations for this key gathering are in full swing, and I truly hope that we will meet to explore how can we create climate-proof and nature-positive cities together. We will co-create innovative ideas, explore project opportunities and build new partnerships to advance the integration of climate and biodiversity for lasting urban resilience. This meeting offers a unique opportunity to learn from leading experts and peers on how to accelerate your local climate and biodiversity actions. Registration is open and seats are limited so don’t miss out!
After the Commission meeting you can meet us at the XVIII UBC General Conference in Słupsk (Dolina Charlotty) on 4th October, where we will host “Meet and Greet” session and an interactive workshop "Urban sustainability arena for sharing success strategies and solutions". Together we will reflect on the actions implemented under our Sustainability Action Programme 2030, discuss what worked well and explore how we can learn from shared challenges. We will also begin shaping new project ideas and initiatives for 2026 and beyond.
I also encourage you to explore our ongoing and newly launched projects, which cover a wide range of high-priority topics supporting the green transition in our member cities. Many exciting events and practical solutions are coming up! In particular, two of our flagship projects, EMPEREST and BALTIPLAST are concluding this year and they are ready to share their achievements, tools and solutions through online platforms and in prominent conferences. There is also our UBC TALKS webinar series, where after summer you can learn more about mobility and climate budgeting.
Wishing you all a relaxing, inspiring summer and I look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming events in the autumn!
Sincerely yours,
Agnieszka Ilola, Head of Secretariat, with the UBC SCC Team