Leaders from cities worldwide have reaffirmed the value of sharing experience, knowhow and partnerships as part of an inclusive multilateral process at the 4th UNECE Forum of Mayors.
At the Forum of Mayors, themed "Cities Summit of the Future," city leaders exchanged concrete experiences on localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), financing for development, and addressing urban challenges. The Forum welcomed mayors from beyond the UNECE region, enriching discussions through collaboration with other UN Regional Commissions and the Global Cities Hub.
Mayors emphasized their critical role in achieving the 2030 Agenda, noting their close connection to citizens and understanding of local dynamics. They highlighted the urgent need for urban resilience and sustainable planning to combat unchecked growth and consumption, advocating for practices that conserve energy and protect the environment.
Social development was also a key focus, with leaders recognizing cities as vital centres for addressing gender and youth issues, promoting inclusion, and fostering peaceful communities. They underscored the importance of neighbourly relations and respect for diversity in building secure urban environments.
Technology emerged as a key driver for future urban progress, with discussions around "smart cities" and the potential of science and artificial intelligence to drive development. However, mayors stressed that technology must prioritize people, reducing inequalities and ensuring ethical innovation that benefits all citizens.
Finally, the Forum reinforced the importance of integrating local voices into global governance, advocating for the active involvement of local and regional authorities in UN decision-making processes.
The Forum brought together around 400 participants representing cities and member States from across the pan-European region, North America and beyond, the United Nations Regional Commissions and specialized organizations, non-governmental organizations and academia.
Drawing on these discussions, the Forum adopted the outcome statement "Local and regional governments for a renewed and inclusive multilateralism for a sustainable future". Through this outcome statement the mayors encourage States to consider the Forum of Mayors as an effective model for cities from all UN regions to exchange knowledge, best practices and local solutions and to participate in the work of the UN on the localisation of SDGs as well as other global agenda and challenges; and request the secretariat of the Forum of Mayors to transmit it to the United Nations Secretary-General as a contribution to strengthening the engagement of local and regional governments in UN intergovernmental bodies and processes, including through the provision of a formal status for local and regional governments in the United Nations.
In his speech, Lord Norman Foster, Advocate of the 2024 Forum of Mayors, emphasized the importance of data-driven urban planning for future cities, advocating for compact, walkable designs that balance technological advancements with environmental sustainability and human well-being. He stated, "The nature of the city is twofold. It's a collection of many, many buildings held together by the infrastructure, the urban glue of infrastructure... and it determines our climatic future."
Recalling cities' emphasis that the Forum serves as an effective model to exchange knowledge, best practices, and local solutions, UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean highlighted that "the Forum of Mayors provides a platform for cities to engage in the work of the UN, to contribute to declarations and statements, and to make recommendations to member States. This participation ensures that local and regional authorities are recognized as both de facto and de jure active actors within the UN system."
The Forum elected its new Bureau, with Ms. Susan Aitken, City Leader of Glasgow (UK), as Chair with Mr. Eckart Würzner, Mayor of Heidelberg (Germany) and Mr. Gregor Macedoni, Mayor of Novo Mesto (Slovenia), as vice-chairs. Deputy Mayor of Geneva (Switzerland), Sami Kanaan, will remain an ex-officio member of the Bureau.
Further illustrating the wide variety of areas in which city leaders can act as positive actors for change, side events covered issues including city diplomacy and peace, Voluntary Local Reviews of SDGs progress, and women's underrepresentation in local governance and gender equality, solutions for the triple planetary crisis at local level.
