Cities worldwide are grappling with intensifying heat stress, a growing threat to public health, urban livability, and economic productivity. This high-level ministerial session, hosted at the Singapore Pavilion during COP30, will demonstrate how global collaborations can catalyze innovative solutions to the urban heat challenge and offer guidance for cities seeking to move from planning to implementation.

Throughout this session, attendees will learn how partnerships and global initiatives like Beat the Heat and the Global Cooling Pledge foster a spirit of collaboration, open new avenues for innovation, and strengthen ties among cities worldwide. Participants will gain practical perspectives on moving from planning to action, leveraging advanced research, and building resilient cities in an era of escalating climate challenges.

GoRental SG and partners unveil CETRIC, a national hub advancing clean energy research, battery innovation, and grid intelligence. Through strategic MOUs, the initiative fosters collaboration and commercialisation, reinforcing Singapore’s global leadership in driving a sustainable, net-zero energy future.

Cities and industries are at a critical juncture in managing water security amidst escalating climate challenges. According to the World Bank's 2025 report, while cities generate nearly 1 billion cubic meters of used water daily, only 12% of municipal freshwater withdrawals currently come from reuse, with potable and industrial reuse at a mere 3%. This represents both a significant challenge and an opportunity, as cities face increasing water stress affecting livelihoods, economic growth, and climate resilience.

This session will explore how cities can scale up water reuse as a cornerstone of their climate adaptation strategies by drawing from global experiences and successful models. The discussions will focus on practical implementation frameworks, innovative financing mechanisms including public-private partnerships, and strategies for stakeholder engagement. Key areas will include integrating reuse into urban planning, developing supportive policy frameworks, and leveraging various financing instruments such as green bonds and blended finance to achieve the ambitious target of 25% municipal freshwater withdrawal through reuse by 2040.

There is an urgent need for stronger coordination, shared data, and practical action to inform planning, mobilise finance, and accelerate the uptake of scalable adaptation strategies. Despite growing attention and funding for climate adaptation, Southeast Asia continues to be underrepresented in global adaptation efforts.

Join the Southeast Asia Partnership for Adaptation through Water (SEAPAW), an initiative of the Singapore International Foundation and the World Economic Forum, for a high-level panel at COP30 exploring how Southeast Asia can turn rising climate risks into investment-ready opportunities.

The session will unveil the framing of SEAPAW’s upcoming roadmap on flood damage reduction and feature a dynamic discussion on the cost of inaction and power of partnership. Learn how better risk recognition, data, and cross-sector collaborations can unlock financing for resilience.