About the UN Forum of Mayors
The UN Forum of Mayors (FoM) 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 FoM adopts declarations and conveys recommendations to UN Member States. It promotes a new and more inclusive multilateralism, which enables mayors to participate in global debates, alongside States and develop collective solutions that respond to people’s concerns.
The FoM 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 FoM facilitates collaboration and the exchange of good practices among mayors and fosters dialogue among cities, States and relevant international organizations. More than 160 cities have thus far participated in the FoM. The Global Cities Hub is proud to be a partner since its first edition in 2020.
In 2025, the FoM was set up as a “High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) for Cities”. It reviewed, through a local lens, the same Sustainable Development Goals that were the focus of the State-led UN High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, held in New York in July 2025.
I am a mayor - why should I participate?
As a mayor, improving the quality of life for your city’s residents is central to your work. The UN Forum of Mayors supports you in advancing that goal. Further, sharing your city’s successful policies and innovation also contributes to global development efforts, while gaining prestige and recognition.
Participating in the UN Forum of Mayors means:
Peer-to-peer networking and learning
You will meet and network with other mayors. You will be able to learn from successful policies and best practices implemented in other cities. You can shape partnerships with other cities on concrete issues and/or build coalitions on political issues, like the Women Mayors’ Declaration for Safe and Inclusive Governance (2025) or the Mayors’ Declaration condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine (2022).
Networking with International Organizations (IOs)
You will engage directly with experts and representatives of international organizations and international NGOs.
You will learn more about how the United Nations (and the international system in general) work and how to interact with the different organizations and their secretariats to access international projects, technical assistance, data, and tools to develop and implement local policies.
Cities that directly partner with Regional Economic Commissions can also establish fruitful cooperation links with them.
Influence global governance
At the Forum, mayors negotiate an official UN outcome document that gets transmitted to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York (USA). This means that you can shape international discussions with your vision and ideas, and offer solutions to the global challenges humanity faces. Your voice as mayor counts!
International exposure, national visibility
Your city can showcase successful policies, projects and innovation, positioning itself as a global and/or national leader – gaining prestige and recognition. Taking part in events such as the Urban Futures Dialogue, co-organized with the World Economic Forum, may help you foster public-private partnerships and strengthen your city’s ability to attract international investments.
Strengthening the relationship with the national government
Your city can strengthen its relationship with the national government by leveraging its participation to the Forum as an opportunity to advance local-national priorities. In addition, national governments are present at the UN Forum of Mayors through their diplomatic representations (Permanent Missions), who may cooperate closely with mayors during the FoM.
The 6th UN Forum of Mayors - 2026
The 6th UN Forum of Mayors will take place on 12 and 13 October 2026 in Geneva.
The 6th UN Forum of Mayors will mainly focus on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities. SDG6 – Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG7- Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities will be reviewed by Member States at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), held in New York on 6-15 July 2026:
The programme of events includes:
The Global Cities Hub is looking forward to a strong cooperation with all the UN Regional Economic Commissions to organize the next UN Forum of Mayors and engage with all interested Mayors and city networks.
Find a list of alumni mayors, who participated in previous editions of the UN Forum of Mayors, here.