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Pact for the Future

UCLG - News section

​​UCLG Congress adopts the ‘Pact for the Future’


Mayors, local and regional leaders from across Europe have adopted the ‘Pact for the Future‘, a key strategic document defining UCLG’s priorities from 2022 to 2028. 

The visions and aspirations reflected in the Pact will be shaped into actionable commitments throughout 2023 and serve as the strategic vision for the World Organisation in the coming years. Motions presented by all members will further deepen the policy visions and serve as a reference to the inputs of the whole local and regional government constituency represented by the Global Taskforce. 

Three political leaders have been appointed as Ambassadors for the Pact for the Future: Ada Colau, Mayor of Barcelona as Ambassador for the Future of People; Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris as Ambassador for the Future of the Planet; Yücel Yilmaz, Mayor of Balikesir as Ambassador for the Future of Government. 

France-Ukraine Solidarity

Bridges of Trust Branding - News 2024

The France-Ukraine Local Solidarity Forum: Together we are stronger!


On the 19th of October, more than 100 participants took part in the Local Solidarity Forum jointly organised by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), PLATFORMA, Association of French Mayors (AMF) and the U-LEAD with Europe Programme.

Twinning and partnerships between Local and Regional Governments were at the centre of the discussions. Cooperation is the only way to bring about Ukrainian reconstruction.

Join un on 28 October, from 09:00 to 12:00 CEST, for the Bridges of Trust Forum to learn more about partnerships between Ukrainian and EU local governments!

Bridges of Trust Forum

Ukraine flag - News section

Join us at the occasion of the Bridges of Trust Forum!


Join un on 28 October, from 09:00 to 12:00 CEST, and learn more about partnerships between Ukrainian and EU local governments. This online event will be conducted in English and Ukrainian, with simultaneous interpretation.

The Forum is organised in the framework of the Initiative “Bridges of Trust: Empowering municipalities in Ukraine and in the European Union through building municipal partnerships”, implemented by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), PLATFORMA and supported by the U-LEAD with Europe.

Today, international municipal cooperation between Ukrainian and EU municipalities is perceived by many, including the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, as one of the important instruments that can help Ukraine and Ukrainian communities recover, rebuild and renew. Closer personal links and cooperation based on joint projects and actions between the peers in Ukraine and the EU are also facilitating the integration with and the future accession of Ukraine into the EU family.

Therefore, the aim of this Forum is to highlight and promote partnerships between municipalities in Ukraine and the EU member states.

The Forum will be focused on the following components:

  • Partnerships between Ukrainian and EU municipalities, in the framework of the “Bridges of Trust” Initiative.
  • Examples of European Union funding programmes supporting partnerships between Ukrainian and EU municipalities.

The full programme of the Forum can be found here: English and Ukrainian.

To register, please fill in this online form. If you have any questions, please contact Yana.Brovdiy[at]ccre-cemr.org.

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Приєднуйтесь до нас 28 жовтня, з 10:00 до 13:00 за київським часом, та дізнайтеся більше про партнерство між органами місцевого самоврядування України та ЄС. Цей онлайн-захід буде проведено англійською та українською мовами, з синхронним перекладом.

Форум організовано в рамках ініціативи «Мости довіри: розширення можливостей громад в Україні та в Європейському Союзі через побудову муніципальних партнерств», що впроваджується Радою європейських муніципалітетів та регіонів (РЄМП), PLATFORMA за підтримки за підтримки Програми «U-LEAD з Європою».

Сьогодні міжнародна співпраця між українськими муніципалітетами та муніципалітетами ЄС сприймається багатьма, зокрема Президентом України, Володимиром Зеленським, та Президентом Єврокомісії, Урсулою фон дер Ляєн, як один із важливих інструментів, який може допомогти Україні та українським громадам відновити та відбудувати зруйноване агресором та окупантом. Більш тісні особисті зв’язки та співпраця на основі спільних проєктів між колегами в Україні та ЄС також сприяють інтеграції та майбутньому вступу України до сім’ї ЄС.

Тому метою цього Форуму є висвітлення та сприяння партнерству між муніципалітетами України та країн-членів ЄС.

Форум буде зосереджений на таких компонентах:

  • Презентації партнерств між українськими та європейськими муніципалітетами в рамках Ініціативи «Мости довіри», що реалізується Радою європейських муніципалітетів та регіонів (РЄМР) та PLATFORMA за підтримки U-LEAD з Європою.
  • Програми фінансування Європейського Союзу для підтримки партнерств між українськими та європейськими муніципалітетами.

З повною програмою Форуму можна ознайомитися тут: англійською та українською мовами.

Для реєстрації, будь ласка, заповніть цю онлайн-форму. Якщо у вас виникли запитання, будь ласка, зв’яжіться з Yana.Brovdiy[at]ccre-cemr.org.

OECD Conference

Promoting the Global Goals - News 2023

Conference to launch the new SNG-WOFI


The OECD and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) are organising an in-person conference to launch the third edition of their World Observatory on Subnational Government Finance and Investment (SNG-WOFI).

The goal of the Observatory is to increase knowledge, promote dialogue on multi-level governance and subnational finance around the world as well as to monitor the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

This 2022 edition includes data from 135 countries, covering almost 90% of the world surface area, 93% of the world population and 94% of global GDP.

The conference will bring together national and subnational governments, international organisations and stakeholders from around the world involved in this wide-ranging project, to present the key findings of the new edition and to discuss current challenges related to subnational finance and multi-level governance, in light of new data and analysis.

CEMR’s Finance Spokesperson, Flo Clucas, will take part in the Session 3 on : How can subnational government access to external resources be improved to finance infrastructure investment?

For more information and to register, please fill in this online form. If you have any questions, please contact Leslie Greenhow

UCLG Leadership

UCLG - Banner

Discover Europe’s key appointments to UCLG’s new political leadership


Now that the curtains have just closed on the Congress of United Cities and Local Governments, discover Europe’s key appointments to our global network’s new political leadership.

Jan Van Zanen, UCLG President (Oct.2024/2025), Mayor of  The Hague
Carlos Martinez Minguez, UCLG Special Envoy for the New Urban Agenda, Mayor of Soria
Anne Hidalgo, UCLG Ambassador for the Future of the Planet, Mayor of Paris
Ada Colau, UCLG Ambassador for the Future of People, Mayor of Barcelona

France-Ukraine Solidarity

Mayors in Ukraine - News 2023

Join us at the occasion of the France-Ukraine Local Solidarity Forum!


Join un on 19 October, from 10:00 to 12:15 CEST, and learn more about how French municipalities support Ukrainian local governments. This online event will be conducted in French and Ukrainian, with simultaneous interpretation.

France was one of the first European countries to support Ukraine in these difficult times. French municipalities also have been welcoming people fleeing the war and trying to offer the best residence conditions possible. Cooperation of local and regional authorities, volunteers, non-governmental organisations and business is an important contributing factor of the French actions in support of Ukraine.

The Solidarity forum is organized in cooperation between the Association of the Mayors of France (AMF), Council of European Municipalities and Regions and PLATFORMA, as well as U-LEAD with Europe. The Solidarity forum is part of the work of these organisations on establishing the partnerships between the French and Ukrainian municipalities.

The aim of this local solidarity forum between France and Ukraine will be to:
1. Highlight specific challenges of war time local governance from the ground in Ukraine;
2. Present best examples of local support by France, the challenges that were encountered and addressed;
3. Encourage creation of new municipal partnerships between France and Ukraine.

The full programme of the Forum can be found here: English and French.

To register, please fill in this online form. If you have any questions, please contact Yana.Brovdiy[at]ccre-cemr.org

Escalation of war against Ukraine

Escalation of war against Ukraine Declaration

European local leaders condemn renewed Russian attacks and pledge solidarity with Ukrainian cities and communities


Meeting in Daejeon at the 7th UCLG World Congress and Summit of Local and Regional Leaders, European mayors and councillors expressed their deepest indignation at the recent escalation of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The renewed wave of violence continues to bring devastation to civilian populations and destruction to Ukrainian municipalities. 

Condemning Targeted Attacks 
The declaration strongly denounces deliberate strikes on civilians, including women and children, in violation of the Geneva Conventions. Equally condemned is the destruction of essential urban infrastructure, which deprives communities of the basic services needed to survive in wartime. 

Solidarity with Ukraine 
Local and regional leaders across Europe reaffirm their solidarity with Ukraine’s people, mayors, councillors, and associations of local governments who continue their work under extreme conditions. These partnerships are vital to ensuring communities can endure today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s recovery. 

Shared Values 
The declaration recalls the core values upon which Europe is built—peace, democracy, justice, equality, inclusion, and dialogue. By standing with Ukraine, Europe also defends international law and human rights. 

A Call to Action 
European municipalities are invited to strengthen ties with Ukrainian peers through partnerships, twinning, and reconstruction efforts. The declaration also appeals directly to local leaders worldwide, and especially in Russia, to condemn the war and join the call for peace. 

Reconstruction will require joint efforts. The declaration highlights the need for European institutions to support rebuilding Ukrainian infrastructure through city-to-city cooperation, aligning with Ukraine’s Fast Recovery Plan. European local and regional leaders reaffirm their readiness to work hand-in-hand with Ukrainian communities, ensuring that from the ruins of war, democracy and peace prevail. 

Read the declaration here 

For more information, contact: 

GOLD VI report

UCLG - News

Toward urban and territorial equality


The 6th Global Observatory on Local Democracy & Decentralization Report, otherwise known as GOLD VI, has just been launched at UCLG Congress in Daejeon (South Korea)!

The focus is on the six pathways to urban and territorial equality, addressing inequalities through local transformation strategies.

Take a look at it here!

European Capital of Democracy

People Europe - News

​13 cities are in the race to become the first “European Capital of Democracy”


13 cities from 8 countries have been preselected to become the first ever “European Capital of Democracy”.

Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), Bologna (Italy), Braga (Portugal), Brussels (Belgium), Burgos (Spain), Cascais (Portugal), Linz (Austria), Metz (France), Opole (Poland), Rzeszow (Poland), Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Valongo (Portugal) have joined the ECoD City Network to compete for the title European Capital of Democracy.

Based on transparent criteria, an Experts’ Jury of five pre-eminent professionals in the field of democracy will now review all of the cities’ applications and draw up a shortlist of outstanding contenders.

The Experts’ Jury Members are: Jaimie Just – Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), Bruno Kaufmann – Democracy International, Robert Krimmer – Skytte Institute at University of Tartu, Amina Krvavac – Child Warhood Museum, Antonella Valmorbida – ALDA Europe / European Partnership for Democracy.

Up to five nominee cities will be forwarded to a jury of 10,000 European citizens, which will get the final word on the selection of the City to carry the title. Applications are still currently open for citizens to have their say and join the Citizens’ Jury. 

The first city to carry the title of European Capital of Democracy will be designated in January 2023. It will enjoy a wide range of benefits, such as an enhanced international reputation as a centre of education and innovation, and the chance to host international events and meetings of leading European politicians.

Territorial leaders in action at the COP 27

Climate - News Section

10 key points to prevent the inexorable march toward utter climate disaster


It’s now or never. We must gear up for climate action and advance the Sustainable Development Goals on the ground. This is the core message that PLAFTORMA and CEMR will bring to the COP27 taking place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

In a joint position, PLATFORMA and CEMR put forward 10 key points for delegates and representatives from the UN, the EU and national governments who will sit around the COP27 negotiation table. Among the important points raised in the position are the need for a supportive regulatory and governance framework to implement subnational climate action, and the need for sustainable subnational financing.

Read the position paper

For more information, contact: