Youth and Local Leaders come together at the UCLG retreat to deliver a vision for the future
United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)
UCLG represents and defends the interests of local and regional governments on the world stage. Headquarters: Barcelona.
Welcome to your update on UCLG’s efforts to amplify the voice of local and regional governments in global discussions!
UCLG Retreat 2025
The UCLG Retreat 2025 brought together hundreds of participants to align priorities and strategies for the coming years. Under the motto "Local Government and YOUTH shaping the FUTURE," the retreat emphasized the role of LRGs and the youth in shaping the post-2030 agenda, driving climate action, ensuring social justice, and strengthening democratic governance.
One of the central discussions focused on youth and intergenerational dialogue. Young leaders and elected officials highlighted the importance of meaningful youth participation, moving beyond consultation to active decision-making. The Youth Climate Action Fund and its members showcased how intergenerational collaboration can drive positive impact at the local level.
The retreat reinforced the need for territorial approaches to address global challenges. From urban-rural collaboration to inclusive public service transformation, cities are proving to be key actors in achieving equitable development.
On World Social Justice Day, the Local Social Covenant as a multi stakeholder platform for structural dialogue was at the center of the conversation. Addressing global challenges such as housing, climate justice, finance, health, and food security, the session ensured that local and regional leadership remains central to a new social contract based on human rights, youth participation, caring systems, and antiracism.
Discussions on The New Essentials underscored the importance of integrating care into governance, from housing and public health to education and employment. The upcoming GOLD VII Report will explore these themes through a participatory multimedia format.
The retreat also served as a space for aligning strategies ahead of key international events, ensuring that local and regional governments remain central in shaping the future of multilateralism.
See more pictures of the event here.
The UCLG Presidency gathers in the framework of the UCLG Retreat
As is traditional during the Retreat, the enlarged Presidency met to share updates on the Organization and the institutional agenda for the year. In an increasingly complex international context, the UCLG Presidency remained committed to solidarity, diplomacy, and local efforts for peace.
The presidency offered a moment to reflect on the overall priorities of the year: From the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, to placing the common goods at the centre, to placing local and regional governments at the centre of #COP30 in Belém, the UCLG Presidency aligned their views to strengthen our agenda for the year.
The Presidency team, the most representative in the history of UCLG, remains ready to inspire the transformation that the planet needs.
See more pictures of the event here.
Metropolis elects the Mayor of Rabat, Fatiha El Moudni, as new President in the framework of the UCLG Retreat
During the retreat, Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises held its first Board of Directors meeting for 2025. The Board welcomed Rabat Mayor and UCLG Treasurer Fatiha El Moudni, succeeding mayor of Dakar (Mr. Barthélémy Dias) as their new President and approved new members.
ECOSOC Partnership Forum
Here are some key updates on UCLG’s engagement at the ECOSOC Partnership Forum and Coordination Segment, held as part of the preparations for the 2025 High-Level Political Forum (#HLPF) and the review of SDGs 3, 5, 8, and 14.
UCLG co-organized the SDG 5 Action Segment, hosted a side event on localized partnerships for SDG transformation with Brazil and Morocco, and delivered a statement at the Forum’s plenary session, contributing to a collective stocktaking of progress and challenges in SDG implementation.
At the margins of the Forum, our President, Mayor Jan van Zanen of The Hague, met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres to discuss the implementation of the Pact for the Future, the roadmap of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Group on Local and Regional Governments, and the reinforcement of UCLG’s collaboration with the United Nations.
To conclude our engagement, UCLG took part in the ECOSOC Coordination Segment, sharing perspectives on transformative solutions for sustainable development. These spaces were crucial in reflecting on lessons learned and reinforcing the role of local and regional governments in global decision-making processes.
Read more about the event here.
Road towards the Global Disability Summit:Peer Learning Event on Resilient and Inclusive Cities
On February 5–6, 2025, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), with the support of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), hosted an online Peer Learning Event on Resilient and Inclusive Cities as part of preparations for the Global Disability Summit (GDS) 2025. The event provided a platform for municipalities to exchange experiences, strengthen their knowledge on strategies to promote disability-responsive urban resilience, and understand how local governments can present their commitments to the GDS.
With current trends in urbanization presenting challenges to inclusion and equity, ensuring universal accessibility in cities is a key pillar towards resilient, inclusive and sustainable cities and territories. Today, over half of persons with disabilities live in urban areas, a number projected to surpass 1 billion by 2050. These individuals often face significant barriers, including limited access to public services, heightened vulnerability in emergencies, and exclusion from socio-economic opportunities. Tackling these challenges requires strong municipal leadership, collaboration, and innovative policies that prioritize disability-inclusive urban resilience.
The two-day event featured expert insights, best practices from leading cities, and a dedicated working session to align local priorities with the GDS 2025 commitments.
Key Highlights:
By fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration, the event reinforced the crucial role of local governments in advancing disability-inclusive urban resilience. In the lead-up to GDS 2025, another online session will bring together UCLG’s Regional Sections and Global Task Force partners to refine priorities and strengthen the collective position of local and regional governments, in alignment with the UCLG Local Social Covenant.
WYDE Standing Committee online meeting
On February 11, 2025, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), in collaboration with UN Women and the Generation Equality Forum’s Action Coalition on Feminist Movements and Leadership, hosted the meeting of the UCLG Standing Committee on Gender Equality, uniting local leaders and youth advocates to strategize ahead of the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), and with the celebrations of Beijing+30 as their horizon. Over 100 participants from local and regional governments across continents and partners joined the meeting, as well as youth leaders who participated in the Beijing+30 Regional Review Meetings over the past months.
As one of the main outcomes of this important dialogue, a strong commitment to amplify youth voices and local governments’ priorities at CSW69 and beyond. Participants agreed on joint strategies for accelerating the localization of the Beijing Platform for Action, ensuring that young feminists play a pivotal role in shaping more inclusive and resilient communities, with wellbeing, equality and care at the center.
Read more here.
Urban 20 South Africa
On 3 March 2025, the Urban 20 (U20) officially launched its 8th cycle in Tshwane, South Africa, marking a historic milestone as the first G20 Summit to be hosted on the African continent. Permanently convened by United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) and C40 Cities , this year’s U20 is co-chaired by the cities of City of Johannesburg and Tshwane. Following the official launch before the South African press and other national stakeholders, the 2025 U20 held its first Sherpa meeting virtually on 6 March, which served to officially welcome the cycle to U20 cities and partners, and set the stage for collaborative engagement among city leaders. Throughout the cycle, U20 aimed to align its advocacy efforts with the G20 agenda, ensuring that urban priorities were reflected in global discussions.
The 2025 U20 cycle focuses on economic opportunities and financing, with an emphasis on job creation and sustainable economic growth. It also addresses climate action and urban resilience, strengthening cities’ capacities to withstand climate-related challenges while promoting environmental sustainability. Social inclusion and equity remain key, with efforts to reduce inequalities in urban settings. Additionally, digital transformation and innovation play a central role in leveraging technology to drive urban development and improve public services. These priorities align closely with the overarching theme of South Africa’s G20 Presidency, “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” which highlights inclusive economic growth, industrialization, employment, and reducing inequality. The G20 agenda also emphasizes food security, ensuring access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food for all, and the role of artificial intelligence and innovation in sustainable development.
The 2025 cycle will build on a successful 2024 U20 cycle co-chaired by Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, which saw the handover of the U20 communique to presidents Luis Inácio ‘Lula’ da Silva and Gabriel Boric, from Brazil and Chile, during the Urban 20 Summit, held for the first time back to back with a G20 leaders Summit.
On the way to CSW69
As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 2025, local and regional governments are reaffirming their commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment. These governments have been essential in localizing the Platform's objectives, ensuring that global commitments translate into tangible actions within communities.
Local and regional authorities play a key role in sustainable development, acting as the frontline in implementing policies that promote equality. Their proximity to communities allows them to address specific needs through services such as healthcare, education, climate resilience, and social protection. These services are essential for achieving both the Beijing Platform's goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5, which focuses on gender equality.
The upcoming 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) session serves as a platform for these local and regional governments to showcase their contributions to gender equality. Their efforts underscore the significance of localizing global agendas, ensuring that policies are tailored to the unique contexts of their communities. By doing so, they address systemic inequalities and promote the empowerment of women and girls.
As we commemorate Beijing+30, it's crucial to recognize and support the power of local and regional governments.
Read more about it here.
#Culture2030Goal survey
In the road towards developing a Culture Goal in global development agendas, the #Culture2030Goal campaign is conducting a survey aiming at updating and improving the initial draft of a proposal for this Culture Goal, based on the input of cities and local and regional governments, development partners and international networks, and the wider culture and development communities.
The objective is to deliver an updated proposal for a Culture Goal in development agendas capable of influencing the Mondiacul 2025 Conference to be held in Barcelona in next September 2025, and beyond. Inputs will be received until 31 March 2025.
Your inputs to this survey are essential to achieving this goal.
Please also feel ready to share the survey with your own networks and anyone else who you feel can contribute.
> Take the survey.
Help shape the global SDG agenda: Contribute to the 9th SDG localization report!
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Local and regional governments are at the forefront of sustainable development, driving real change on the ground. As the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) 2025 approaches, now is the time to make local voices count!
The Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments (GTF) is preparing its 9th report on SDG localization, a critical contribution that showcases how LRGs worldwide are advancing the 2030 Agenda.
Take the survey now ➡️ survey.uclg.org and you will:
- Gain international recognition for your sustainability efforts
- Influence global discussions on key development challenges
- Showcase your innovative solutions in localizing the SDGs
This year’s HLPF will focus on:
✅ SDG 3 – Good health and well-being
✅ SDG 5 – Gender equality
✅ SDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth
✅ SDG 14 – Life below water
✅ SDG 17 – Partnerships for the goals
Deadlines:
📌 European associations: 10 March 2025
📌 European LRGs & non-European members: 1 April 2025
Local and regional governments are key to accelerating SDG implementation. Don't miss this opportunity to shape the global agenda and highlight your impact!
Next on the agenda!
UCLG Executive Bureau 2025
From April 1st to 4th, local and regional leaders from around the world will gather for the UCLG Executive Bureau, held under the motto: “Local and regional governments, engines of development
UCLG mobilizes for the 6th World Forum of Local Economic Development: Just transition, financing for development and territorial solutions”
This edition will focus on just transition, financing for development, and territorial solutions, reinforcing the role of local and regional governments in shaping sustainable and inclusive economies.
More details coming soon!
5th World Forum on Cities and Territories of Peace
The World Forum of Cities and Territories of Peace hosted by the Mayor of Montevideo, Mauricio Zunino, on 2-3 May 2025, is a multi-stakeholder and multi-level meeting process aimed at opening a common space for debate and reflection to build solutions, in terms of local public policies, that foster urban environments capable of addressing expressions of violence, where citizens live together in peace.
The Forum will be structured around four thematic axes:
• Intolerance, racism, discrimination and extremism;
• Migration, diaspora and violence;
• Gender-based violence;
• Inequalities, inclusive development and climate justice.
And three transversal axes:
• Citizen participation and intergenerational dialogue;
• Resources for Participatory Management for Coexistence and Peace;
• City diplomacy and strategic articulations
The World Forum of Cities and Territories of Peace is also expected to strengthen the linkages with the UCLG Peace Prize and the UCLG Municipal Peace Talks, strengthening the agenda of peace of the World Organizations.
GOLD VII: Upcoming on 19 March! First 50+ GOLD VII research process contributions on the Economies of Equality and Care
As we collectively strive for more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable societies that prioritize the well-being of all people and the environment, the importance of care as a foundation for local and regional governance is being recognized as crucial to achieving transformative change.
Building on this momentum, the GOLD VII research process is set to launch, on 19 March, its Multimedia Journal, featuring 50+ videos, articles and reports from 15+ global partners, highlighting case studies, reflections and commitments to care-driven futures. Make sure to check them out!
Key topics will include: caring urban planning and public service provision, crisis-response and time-use policies through care lenses, health and wellbeing for all, culture and democracy for caring territories, resilience and safety, and feminist perspectives on care.
Looking ahead, get your pens ready to tell us how you are shaping the future of care!
Join us at the 24th OIDP Conference in Córdoba!
We are pleased to invite you to the 24th Conference of the International Observatory on Participatory Democracy (OIDP), from 21 to 23 May 2025, in Córdoba, Argentina.
Under the theme "Connecting, Integrating, and Humanizing: Cities Facing the Challenge of Building Community," the conference will bring together local and regional leaders, academics, activists, and organizations to explore key issues in local democracy, decentralization, and citizen participation.
Thematic Axes:
Key Deadlines & Actions:
We look forward to seeing you in Córdoba!
Online Training Academy on Climate resilience and local water management
LRGs are at the forefront of addressing the impacts of climate change, especially in the management of water resources in a context of increasing droughts, floods and disruption of water cycles. To support these efforts, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), PLATFORMA, and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) are organizing an online Training Academy on Climate Resilience and Local Water Management. Scheduled for March 10, 2025, from 15:00 to 17:30, and March 11, 2025, from 11:00 to 13:30, this event will feature sessions led by elected representatives and experts in climate adaptation, focusing on European experiences and decentralized cooperation actions. The training will be conducted in both English and Spanish, with interpretation services available.
Register here.
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Associated member at Inra - Institut national de la recherche agronomique (France), UMR SAD-APT
1moSystematic and logical overview of the past activities with interesting events announced. Thank you for sharing! 🙏