How cities can contribute to a more inclusive and equitable future for everyone

Two thirds of the global population will likely call a city home by 2050. This means future generations’ needs are likely to increasingly be met by the local governments leading the development of these urban centres.

Therefore, to face tomorrow’s most severe challenges, we need an efficient global governance system based on the principle of inclusive multilateralism. Decisions should be made by nation-states, but local and regional governments (LRGs) must also play their role.

Inclusive and effective multilateralism requires a whole-of-government approach where different levels of government can complement and strengthen each other. A meaningful mission-oriented dialogue and exchange with local governments must take place at the international level to tackle challenges like climate change and inequality.

LRGs can connect the dots between international policy debates and action on the ground. They are close to their populations, know the local and regional environments in which they operate, and are responsible for implementing many of the global policies and agreements approved by state governments.

Local government leaders can help address global challenges by raising public awareness and encouraging behavioural change through consultations and initiatives at their level. Taking the example of climate change, cities are vital to improving flood resilience and establishing early warning systems. In addition, 70% of global emission could be reduced by lowering cities’ carbon footprints.

LRGs need to participate in international agenda-setting because implementation happens at their level. They are often on the frontline of addressing the fallout from transnational issues, so they should help form the policy environment in which they are required to operate. An LRG’s role should not be limited to implementer.

This year's UN Summit of the Future in September 2024 presents a unique opportunity to design a more human-centered, livable, and sustainable world. It could also be a chance to redefine multilateralism in a more inclusive way by enabling greater involvement by local governments.

The summit aims to create a “Pact for the Future” under which world leaders will commit to building a multilateral system that delivers for everyone, everywhere. This will include concrete action in five broad areas, all of which are highly relevant to LRGs:

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres sent a strong signal that cities mattered when he established an Advisory Group on Local and Regional Governments in October 2023.

This group of mayors and state representatives will advise him on strengthening LRG engagement in intergovernmental processes and increasing cooperation with national governments and UN country teams.

In preparation for the Summit of the Future, the advisory group will make recommendations on a UN strategy for LRG engagement.

LRGs can be agile partners with the capacity to respond quickly in times of economic, health or environmental crisis. Their actions can complement and extend the actions of central governments.

They can also help deliver key global goals, such as the SDGs or the Paris Agreement – if the international community is willing to carve out a bigger space for them in global decision-making processes.

But LRGs still have no formal standing at the UN. To participate in UN meetings, they must be invited as a guest speaker for a specific event, accredited through a city network that has NGO Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) status or invited to join a national delegation.

The Global Cities Hub encourages member countries to include LRGs in their delegations to events like the Global Refugee Forum. During consultations about the Pact for the Future, the Global Cities Hub also proposed two institutional measures to enable sustainable engagement by LRGs at the UN: in addition to creating a specific UN status for LRGs, we believe the UN should make the Forum of Mayors – its initiative that gathers mayors from around the world to discuss sustainable development issues – a permanent body with an advisory function to the UN.

This year, the fourth Forum of Mayors, to be held in Geneva from 30th September to 1st October 2024, will be called The Cities Summit of the Future. It will provide a golden opportunity for mayors to strengthen their message of support for renewed and inclusive multilateralism.

Cities and their populations deserve to be listened to on all issues relevant to them and their growing populations. The UN should use its Summit of the Future to inspire all multilateral fora to include local and regional government representatives.

Urban centres are at the forefront of dealing with problems like climate change adaptation, investment in resilient infrastructure, the need for more decent jobs, reducing inequality, and promoting and protecting human rights. Cities must be involved in finding the solutions to these significant challenges to secure a more inclusive future for all.