A more inclusive multilateralism from New York to Geneva

As we get “back to school” after a (burning!) hot summer in Geneva, we are looking ahead to what comes next for city diplomacy at the UN.

The UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in New York last July offered many reasons for optimism. With SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) at the centre of this year’s discussions, mayors and governors were highly visible throughout the HLPF, bringing the local and regional perspectives into debates on sustainable development. Across the HLPF, a number of messages came through clearly: multi-level governance, SDG localisation, access to finance for local and regional governments (LRGs), urban sustainability and the need to better connect international commitments with action on the ground.

Yet one question remains: how can this contribution be made more institutionalised to have greater impact?

As we move towards 2030 (and increasingly look beyond it), LRGs need meaningful opportunities to contribute not only to the implementation of the current SDGs, but also to the reflection on what comes next. The post-2030 agenda will need to respond to rapidly evolving challenges, from digitalisation and technological change to climate adaptation, inequalities and massive urbanisation. Its success will depend, to a large extent, on whether it can translate international ambitions into effective action where people live. The next global development agenda will need local ownership, if it is to deliver global results. Whatever the post-2030 framework ultimately looks like, the role of LRGs will remain essential to turning international commitments into tangible improvements for the people.

The recent discussions at HLPF showed that an initiative to formalize the input from LRGs into the HLPF did not secure sufficient support among States. Yet, there is no need to start from scratch. For several years, the Geneva-based UN Forum of Mayors, a formal UN body serviced by UNECE with global outreach, has provided a unique space for mayors to engage in UN discussions in their own capacity. As a platform closely connected to the HLPF and focused on the local implementation of the SDGs, the Forum is positioning itself as key for mayors to engage in SDGs processes. In addition, the Forum of Mayors has steadily grown since 2020 : more mayors participating, stronger links with UN entities, more exchanges on local solutions and Voluntary Local Reviews, and increasing recognition of the contribution of cities and regions to the multilateral agenda.

At a time when the pathways for formal LRG participation in the broader UN system remain limited (including at the HLPF), the UN Forum of Mayors is now an important entry point for LRGs at the UN. Its potential goes beyond sharing good practices once a year. It can become a space where mayors help shape common priorities (including between the Forum’s annual sessions), articulate the challenges they face and contribute to the international discussions that ultimately affect implementation on the ground.

At the Global Cities Hub, we work with all mayors, States and UN entities to make this Forum a huge success every year, constantly asking ourselves: what’s in there for mayors, how to capitalize on their presence in Geneva, how to ensure that exchanges are valuable and that mayors bring back the full benefit of their participation back home, for their people.

On 12-13 October, under the theme “Cities Delivering for a Sustainable Future”, mayors from across the globe will come together in person to exchange experiences, share solutions and define shared priorities, highlighting the essential role of local governments in building a sustainable future. Aligned with the UN HLPF, the UN Forum of Mayors will focus on the local implementation of key targets of SDG 11, while also exploring:

🔹 Innovation and creativity in urban development
🔹 Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs)
🔹 International cooperation
🔹 Building sustainable, inclusive and liveable urban environments

⏰Register by 7 September 2026.

📸 Olivier Chamard