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Global Cities Hub

Connecting local and regional governments to the United Nations and other international organizations
 

HIGHLIGHTS

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On 15 September 2025, the Global Cities Hub moderated the session on “Scaling People-centred Smart City Solutions” at the Forum on Connected by Design: Building Inclusive Digital Infrastructure for Future-Ready Cities, in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The event gathered local and regional governments (LRGs) representatives and international organizations to explore how Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) can drive inclusion, resilience, and sustainability in cities worldwide.
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October 6, 2025 10:00 am
The 5th meeting of the UN Forum of Mayors will take place on 6 and 7 October 2025 in Geneva. It is organized under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), with support from the Global Cities Hub.
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The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly starts on Thursday, 18 September. A record number of heads of states and governments are expected to speak on this Anniversary. The Secretary-General has presented a report providing recommendations to enhance engagement with local and regional governments in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular the localization of the SDGs. The dialogue with States “identified existing mechanisms that were concrete, practical and cost-effective for enhancing the participation of local and regional governments in United Nations processes."

TOPICS

The Global Cities Hub is at the forefront of linking LRGs and international organizations to address the most pressing challenges faced by urban centers worldwide. Engaged in a diverse array of initiatives, GCH fosters collaboration among cities,  mayors and city networks to strengthen inclusive multilateralism in the Geneva ecosystem, including the United Nations. Our work spans critical areas including environment and climate change, smart city development, protection of human rights, and promotion of urban health. By facilitating knowledge exchange and joint action, we aim to create sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban environments for all.

 

NEWS

INC-5.2: No Treaty, but strong references to LRGs

The resumed session of the fifth meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2) was adjourned in the morning of 15 August. Described by many as the last good chance to conclude negotiations on a global plastic pollution treaty, it opened on 5 August. The GCH remains confident the treaty will be adopted and will continue working to ensure LRGs are fully recognised ...

GCH’s messages at the Arab Mayors’ Academy

The GCH participated to the second edition of the Arab Mayors’ Academy, which took place on 6–7 August 2025 at the UN House in Beirut, Lebanon. This year the central topic was institutionalizing SDG Localization.  Aligning cities’ actions with global and regional agendas is increasingly important.

Advancing Human Rights from the Ground Up: LRGs and NMIRFs in Focus

On 23 July, the Global Cities Hub, UNOHCHR, the Geneva Human Rights Platform, and UCLG co-organized a full-day workshop, under the theme “Enhancing national reporting and implementation of human rights through coordinated engagement at the local and regional levels: the role of NMIRFs.” The event brought together a wide range of actors to exchange on how to better integrate LRGs ...