The world’s leading green city initiatives will take centre stage on 15 September as the Winners of the AIPH World Green City Awards 2026 are announced during the 78th AIPH Annual Congress in Bari, Italy, and broadcast live on AIPH’s YouTube channel.

he International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) will reveal the AIPH World Green City Awards 2026 Winners on Tuesday 15 September 2026, during the AIPH Horticultural Industry Conference at the historic Castello Svevo di Bari.

The announcement will celebrate the achievements of the 21 Finalist cities from around the world and reveal the initiatives receiving international recognition in this year’s Awards.

The announcement will be broadcast live on the AIPH YouTube channel, enabling the international Green City community to follow the results as they are revealed.

Cities putting plants at the heart of urban solutions

The AIPH World Green City Awards recognise city-led initiatives that demonstrate how plants and green infrastructure can help address some of the most significant challenges facing urban communities.

The Awards are grounded in the evidence of what plants can do for cities. Their seven categories focus on areas where plants and green infrastructure can make a meaningful contribution to positive urban outcomes, spanning biodiversity and ecosystem restoration, climate change, health and wellbeing, water, social cohesion and inclusive communities, urban agriculture and food systems, and urban infrastructure and liveability.

The 21 Finalist cities demonstrate what this can look like in practice across different cities, climates and communities – from adapting to extreme heat, flooding and drought and restoring biodiversity, to improving health and wellbeing, strengthening communities and transforming urban spaces.

Audrey Timm, AIPH Technical Initiatives Manager, commented: “The 21 Finalists demonstrate the breadth of ways in which cities are using plants and green infrastructure to respond to real urban challenges. The Awards give us an opportunity to recognise these achievements and share the knowledge and practical experience behind them, so that cities around the world can learn from one another.”

Who will take home the 2026 Awards?

During the announcement, AIPH will reveal the seven Category Winners, as well as the AIPH Youth Award Winner, Certificates of Merit recipients and the AIPH World Green City Award 2026 Grand Winner.

The announcement will form part of the AIPH Horticultural Industry Conference, bringing the 2026 results to an international audience of horticultural industry leaders, city representatives, AIPH members and partners gathered in Bari.

The stories and learning behind the Finalists and Winners will continue to be shared internationally following the announcement, showcasing practical examples of how cities are using plants and green infrastructure to create greener, healthier and more resilient urban environments.