The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) held the "Green cities to build back better for SDGs - A new powerful venture" virtual event on Sept 18 EDT, inviting Guangzhou to present a keynote speech in the form of a video.

The FAO Green Cities Action Programme was launched during the event, aiming to help cities and their nearby areas to realize the transformation of their agriculture and food systems, eliminate hunger, as well as improve people's nutrition after the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The programme is expected to cover at least 100 cities around the world in the next three years, including 15 metropolises, 40 intermediate cities, as well as 45 small cities to improve the livelihoods of people living in urban and sub-urban areas. It will strive to attract 1,000 global cities to participate in it by 2030.

The new initiative will also set up a green city network, allowing cities at different levels to communicate about their experiences and to seek cooperation opportunities.

Qu Dongyu, director-general of FAO, said that cities have strong potential in reducing the impact in people's health and food security, as well as in mitigating climate change.

Guangzhou's video noted that the city will fully support and implement the programme to team with cities around the world to make more contributions towards the sustainable development goals. 

Cities including Medellin of Colombia, Milan of Italy, Quelimane of Mozambique, and Sao Paulo of Brazil presented their experiences in the forms of videos or letters.