Heat, Cities & Early Warnings: Acting on El Niño, Preparing for the Future | Goals Lounge

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed on 3 July 2026 that El Niño conditions had developed. Combined with long-term climate change, El Niño is expected to increase the likelihood of higher temperatures and more frequent and intense heat events in many regions over the coming months. Cities are particularly vulnerable, with the urban heat island effect amplifying health risks, straining infrastructure and energy systems, reducing productivity, and disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations. As countries accelerate implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Early Warnings for All initiative, there is an urgent opportunity to strengthen collaboration between meteorological services, housing, transportation, energy stakeholders, city leaders, disaster risk managers and technology partners to better prevent, mitigate, anticipate, prepare for and respond to extreme heat. ** The Goals Lounge is an innovative platform at the UN Headquarters that brings together dialogue, partnerships and visibility to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. Since its launch, it has enabled major announcements, mobilized significant financial commitments and supported high-impact initiatives across areas such as mental health, women's leadership and digital transformation, while engaging diverse stakeholders and audiences worldwide.