ICLEI has designed and structured DC2023 in way that brings local, regional, and national governments together for meaningful dialogues with the aim to help unify them in multilevel efforts aimed at tackling the climate emergency, as well as inviting national government representatives to engage in meaningful conversations with local players highlighting concerns and challenges which prevent a more effective and collaborative dialogue among different levels of governments, and broader whole-of-society approaches to tackling the climate emergency.

Since 2021, Daring Cities has been structured around three cornerstones – Exchange,
Disseminate and Advocate – to guide and empower urban leaders already responding
ambitiously to the climate emergency within their jurisdictions. Simultaneously, it ensures that the key messages and demands of Daring Cities are being heard by those governments and actors outside of the bubble of ambitious local climate action, with the aim of mainstreaming multilevel action in climate action planning, policy making and implementation at all levels around the world.