Published on: 2026-10-15
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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October 14, 2026 Economic Development
About 90 mayors from more than 50 countries have committed to developing inclusive, sustainable, safe, and environmentally friendly urban environments. This was the outcome of the 6th UN Mayors Forum held in Geneva.
City leaders have called on states and international organizations to strengthen legal, institutional, political, and financial mechanisms to support local authorities in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The UN Mayors Forum, established by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), is a unique structure within the United Nations system that ensures the participation of local and regional authorities in inclusive multilateral cooperation. Mayors have a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge, experience, and local solutions.
“It is also an important body that unites us – city leaders – for exchanging information about opportunities and solutions to common problems,” said Ekkart Würzner, the mayor of Heidelberg and chairman of the forum.
UN ECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molchan emphasized that it is in cities where people primarily face the key problems of our time, and where the necessary solutions are developed daily.
“That is why the UN Mayors Forum is so important. It serves as a platform for sharing experience and successful practices, mutual learning, establishing partnerships, and also allows the voice and experience of cities to be brought to participants in global discussions,” she said.
Forum participants paid special attention to the key tasks of SDG 11, dedicated to sustainable cities and communities. They committed themselves to six main areas: road safety, greening and ecology, inclusive planning, affordable and quality housing, preservation of cultural and natural heritage, as well as innovation.
The mayors pointed out that fiscal constraints, fragmented governance, and limited local resources are obstacles to implementing many plans; therefore, they called on governments to ensure fiscal decentralization and direct financing. They also urged international financial institutions to more actively support the development of sustainable urban infrastructure.
The results of the current forum will be presented to the UNECE Committee on Urban Development, Housing and Land Management at its 87th session.
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