About the UN Forum of Mayors
The Forum of Mayor is a ground-breaking initiative that convenes mayors in a formal UN process in Geneva to discuss the pressing global challenges, experiences, and practices to create a better world that leaves no one behind. The Forum adopted declarations and conveyed recommendations to UN Member States. It promoted a new and more inclusive multilateralism, which enabled mayors to participate in global debates alongside States and develop collective solutions that respond to people’s concerns.
The UN Forum of Mayors is a United Nations body that enhances coherence and complementarity between the local, regional and global levels in addressing common challenges related to sustainable urban development and governance, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. Since 2020, the Forum’s annual meetings have facilitated collaboration and the exchange of good practices among mayors and fostered dialogue among cities, member States and relevant international organizations. More than 160 cities have thus far participated in its meetings. The Global Cities Hub (GCH) is proud to be a partner since its first edition in 2020.
The 2025 UN FoM will be set up as a “High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) for Cities” and review, through a local lens, the same Sustainable Development Goals that were the focus of the UN High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, held in New York in July 2025. UNECE Member States adopted the new Terms of Reference (ToRs), confirming the global nature of the Forum.
The 5th meeting of the UN Forum of Mayors “Cities Shaping the Future” takes place on 6 and 7 October 2025 in Geneva with the participation of more than 60 mayors from all over the world.
The theme will be “Cities shaping the Future”, with topics focusing around SDG3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG5 (Gender Equality) and SDG8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Moreover, mayors will engage in discussions on Climate Finance Mechanisms, Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs), Housing and Urban Development, Cooling and Urban Climate Resilience as tools to advance sustainable local development.
The President of the Global Cities Hub, Deputy Mayor of Geneva Ms. Christina Kitsos, will deliver opening remarks in the first session of the Forum. Alongside her, speakers include Ms. Tatiana Molcean, Executive Secretary of UNECE; Ms. Anacláudia Rossbach, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN-Habitat; Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO (tbc); and Ms. Laura Thompson, Assistant Director-General of ILO.
The programme of events includes:
7 October 2025
Cooling and Building for Urban Resilience: Local Solutions, Global Impact
This side event provides a dedicated space to explore how urban cooling and resilient building strategies can address extreme heat and fire risks. Local and regional governments are on the frontline of implementing practical solutions.
7 October 2025
High-level Meeting of Mayors and Heads of International Organizations
The heads of UNECE, ITU, UN-Habitat and UNDRR will directly engage with mayors (similarly to last year) on topics such as sustainable urbanization, urban health, digitalization, and climate-resilience.
7 October 2025
Action-Oriented Plans for Implementing Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs)
Building on last year’s success, this event is dedicated to Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs). Held at the Global Cities Hub, it will allow mayors to share knowledge and best practices.
8 October 2025
Urban Futures Dialogue: Driving Public-Private Collaboration for Future-Ready Cities
A special event by invitation only at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on how mission-oriented local governments can collaborate with the private sector to drive innovation and sustainable development at the local level.
The UNECE Ministerial Meeting on Housing Affordability and Sustainability is scheduled to take place on 8 October 2025. Mayors will reflect on housing and other related issues.
The Global Cities Hub is looking forward to a strong cooperation with all the UN Regional commissions to organize the FoM and engage with all interested Mayors and city networks.