Urban Transitions Mission - GLOBAL INNOVATION SUMMIT 2025 - Unlocking investment for cities: blended finance for urban transitions

Join the Urban Transitions Mission (UTM) of Mission Innovation (MI) for a dynamic event on blended finance and investment for urban transitions. This global convening will spotlight how innovative financing models blending private and public finance are unlocking sustainable urban development, accelerating the journey toward net-zero, climate-resilient cities.

By 2050, over two-thirds of the global population will live in urban areas, placing cities at the center of the climate and development challenge. According to estimates from the OECD and other leading institutions, cities will require over $90 trillion in infrastructure investment by mid-century to meet sustainable development and climate goals. This includes funding for low-carbon transport, green buildings, resilient energy systems, water and waste infrastructure, and digital connectivity. Yet, current levels of urban investment fall far short, especially in the Global South, where population growth and climate vulnerability are highest. Bridging this gap will require innovative financing mechanisms that can attract both public and private capital at scale.

Traditional public financing and donor support alone are insufficient to meet the magnitude of urban investment needs. Private capital must be mobilized. Perceived high risks—financial, political, regulatory, and technical—especially in emerging markets often discourage investors. Unlocking this capital requires structured approaches that build investor confidence while ensuring projects align with sustainability goals. Cities also need support in preparing bankable projects, improving governance, and creating stable policy environments that attract long-term investment.

This is where blended finance plays a critical role. By strategically combining concessional finance (e.g., public funds or development assistance) with commercial investment, blended finance can lower perceived risk, improve project viability, and crowd in private capital. It acts as a catalytic tool—using public or philanthropic funding to absorb first losses, offer guarantees, or subsidize returns in a way that makes urban infrastructure projects more attractive to institutional investors, banks, and private developers.

This high-level gathering will bring UTM Cities together with global leaders in urban innovation and sustainability, national policymakers, international organizations, financial institutions, partners, and stakeholders from the private sector and academia, to explore the role how to scale investment and accelerate transitions to net-zero, resilient, and inclusive communities.

Through engaging discussions and real-life examples, city leaders, investors, business, development banks, and finance experts will share actionable insights on mobilizing capital for transformative urban projects. From climate-smart infrastructure to inclusive housing and digital public services, the event will highlight investment strategies that balance risk, return, and social impact.

Discover how blended finance can de-risk investments, leverage public and private capital, and create scalable models for urban transformation. Whether you're a policymaker, urban innovator, or financial stakeholder, this event offers a unique platform to forge partnerships, exchange knowledge, and drive impactful urban investment.

Join us to help shape future investments for more resilient, equitable, and climate neutral cities.

Please find the latest agenda of the event and additional information at the UTM Summit event page.

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** Bring Your Own Lanyard for a Sustainable Touch! **

In the spirit of sustainability, we kindly encourage all in-person participants to bring a lanyard from a previous event to hang your badge. This not only helps reduce waste, but also serves as a fun conversation starter! You can share stories about where your lanyard is from and the interesting events you've attended.

If you don’t have one, don’t worry—we’ll have extras on-site, but we encourage reusing whenever possible!

** Code of conduct **

All participants, by attending the UTM Summit, are deemed to have agreed to the C40 events code of conduct and will be part of the terms and conditions for participation at the event.