On 23 April 2026, the Global Cities Hub (GCH) participated in the 2nd Bologna Expert Roundtable on “Local and Regional Governments in the Universal Periodic Review: Data, Digital Tools and Multi-Level Governance”, held in Bologna, Italy. The event brought together representatives of States, Local and Regional governments (LRGs), international organizations, academia, NGOs and data experts to advance discussions on the role of sub-national authorities in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
Co-organized by the Geneva Human Rights Hub, the University of Bologna and Italy, the roundtable built on a 1st Bologna meeting in 2024 focused on National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-up (NMIRFs), data collection and LRGs. The participation of GCH in these roundtables forms part of ongoing efforts, initiated in 2021 by GCH and partners (the Geneva Human Rights Hub, UPR-Info, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, OHCHR and UN-Habitat) to strengthen the engagement of LRGs in the UPR. These efforts notably led to the publication of a guidance document outlining entry points and recommendations for both States and LRGs.
From normative recognition to operational solutions
The Bologna II roundtable addressed a central policy question: how to systematically integrate LRGs into the UPR cycle through localized data, digital tools and structured multi-level governance. While LRGs play a critical role in implementing human rights and generating granular, rights-based data, their participation in the UPR remains uneven and insufficiently institutionalized.
Participants highlighted that an increasing number of States are deploying digital platforms to facilitate reporting and follow-up. These tools also offer opportunities to structure engagement with LRGs, recognizing their role both as implementers of UPR recommendations and as contributors to monitoring processes.
Political will remains the decisive factor
While digital solutions can help reduce technical and administrative barriers, discussions underscored that political will remains the determining factor for meaningful LRG engagement. This applies both to States – regarding their readiness to involve sub-national authorities – and to LRGs themselves, in terms of getting involved in international human rights processes.
In this context, GCH emphasized the need to further articulate a compelling narrative for LRG engagement in the UPR. Key incentives identified during the roundtable include: enhancing international visibility for local leaders; showcasing local good practices; strengthening cooperation with national administrations and international partners; improving access to funding and technical assistance; and reinforcing the role of LRGs in contexts where national-level engagement may be constrained.
Overall, the GCH welcomed the growing interest in the role of LRGs in the UPR among a broader community of practitioners and experts. The roundtable concluded with reflections on concrete next steps, including the potential development of a practical toolkit to facilitate LRG contributions to UPR processes. The Global Cities Hub will continue to engage actively on this agenda and looks forward to collaborating with partners to advance the institutionalization of LRG participation in the UPR cycle, contributing to more inclusive, data-informed and effective human rights governance.