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Read articles on our activities and inclusive multilateralism in International Geneva

Comments to the revised draft for INC-4

Preparations are underway for the 4th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4, 23-29 April 2024, Ottawa, Canada) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. A revised draft of the instrument has been released by the UNEP secretariat on 28 December 2023 and the Global Cities Hub is glad to see its suggestions included, thereby taking …

GCH submits inputs to elaborate the UN Pact for the Future

The President of the United Nations General Assembly invited co-facilitators of the preparatory process for the Summit of the Future to ensure that all relevant stakeholders participate and engage meaningfully in the consultations, in line with paragraph (c) of General Assembly decision 77/568. The co-facilitators – Germany and Namibia – invited Member States and observers …

Cities took active part in the Global Refugee Forum (GRF)

Held in Geneva from 13-15 December 2023, the 2nd Global Refugee Forum (GRF) gathered 4,200 participants and resulted in 1,600 pledges to support refugees and their hosts[1], as well as an estimated $2.2 billion in new financial commitments by States and other actors, including some $250 million pledged by the private sector (UNHCR figures). While …

GCH presented its pledges to P2C Digital Coalition

On 12 December 2023, at the Partner2Connect Digital Coalition Annual Meeting co-director Kemileva officially presented the pledges by GCH to raise awareness among Local and Regional Governments (LRGs) about the important role they can play to scale-out efforts to increase meaningful connectivity in cities. The GCH seeks to better connect local and regional governments to …

GCH proud to support Swiss whole-of-government pledge at GRF: Cities are also key to address refugee challenges!

The Global Cities Hub is proud to support the whole-of-government Swiss pledge, developed under the leadership of the city of Zürich and submitted at the Global Refugee Forum held in Geneva (13-15 Dec. 2023). Parties to the pledge commit to enhance the cooperation between the municipal, cantonal and federal levels in national refugee policymaking to …

Pledge by the Global Cities Hub for UDHR 75

On 11-12 December 2023 OHCHR organized commemorations of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The Declaration remains the core international document for achieving freedom, equality, and justice for everyone.

The role of city networks in fostering inclusive multilateralism

On 11 December, the GCH held its Annual retreat to discuss the role of city networks in fostering more inclusive multilateralism. The morning session featured a discussion among city networks/organizations and in the afternoon, representatives of international organizations.

“Mayors are at the forefront of urban health leadership”

On 2 October, the GCH provided a unique opportunity for mayors to meet with Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization (see his remarks here). In this interview, he shares his views on urban health, the role of local governments, and the future of multilateralism. What is the main message specifically Mayors should take …

3rd WHO Mayors’ dialogue on promoting urban governance for health and well-being

On 22 November 2023 GCH had the pleasure to contribute to the discussion at the “Third Mayors’ Dialogue on Promoting Urban Governance for Health and Well-being” organized by WHO. The dialogue was part of the WHO global initiative on Urban Governance for Health and Well-being (2020-2028), that enables sharing knowledge and best practices on innovative and practical …

UNICEF works with local governments and communities to find lasting solutions

On the occasion of World Children’s Day and honoring the Centenary of the Geneva Declaration on the Rights of the Child, GCH has decided to highlight the work of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and include it in our mapping. The GCH mapping presents work on urban issues that international actors are doing in …