More than 200 participants, including mayors, local elected representatives, and city network leaders from fifteen countries, gathered in Nancy for a historic Urban7 (U7) meeting to deliver a political message to G7 Heads of State and Government ahead of the Évian Summit.
Representing major urban networks – including France urbaine (France), Deutscher Städtetag (Germany), FCM (Canada), USCM (United States), ANCI (Italy), JDCMA (Japan), and Core Cities UK (United Kingdom) – participants adopted the “Nancy Declaration – Resilient Cities as the Foundation of Global Resilience”, which is formally submitted to the French G7 Presidency.
The meeting, held on 3-4 June 2026, marks a historic milestone: the official recognition of the U7 as an engagement group of G7 reflects a growing international consensus that the most pressing challenges of our time cannot be addressed without meaningful cooperation between all levels of government. As Dr. Eckart Würzner, Lord Mayor of Heidelberg and Head of the German Delegation to the U7 put it before the meeting: “This is a game changer, because this gives us, for the first time, a voice on this level, on the state level.”
Founded in 2021 and co-chaired by the Global Parliament of Mayors (GPM) and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, Urban7 has spent five years building the case that local and regional governments belong inside, rather than alongside, the G7 process. The French Presidency formally acknowledged the U7 as an official engagement group, giving local governments a structured channel to feed their priorities directly into the G7 agenda.
Multilevel Governance as a Prerequisite for Effective Action
Participants included mayors, local elected representatives, city network leaders, government representatives and heads of international organizations. Throughout the discussions, participants stressed that climate change, democratic resilience, social cohesion, economic transformation and territorial security require coordinated action across local, regional, national and international levels. Cities are not only implementing public policies but increasingly shaping solutions, mobilising communities and driving innovation in areas that directly affect citizens’ daily lives.
The Nancy Declaration calls for stronger multilevel governance frameworks that recognise local authorities as strategic partners in policy design, implementation and monitoring. Participants emphasized that empowering cities leads to more effective, inclusive and accountable public action, particularly in times of crisis and rapid transformation. Several UN leaders, including Anaclaudia Rossbach (UN Habitat) and Tatiana Molcean (UNECE) intervened during the discussion, presenting good practices in the UN system, such as the UN Forum of Mayors. The institutionalization of Urban7 within the G7 ecosystem can serve as a good example for other international organizations and platforms as well.
Cities at the Forefront of Addressing Current Challenges
Against a backdrop of growing geopolitical uncertainty, participants reinforced the role of cities as custodians of peace, democracy and global solidarity amid mounting global pressure. As some national governments reconsider or slow their climate commitments, cities continue to lead efforts in emissions reduction, energy transition, sustainable mobility and climate adaptation.
The discussions also addressed increasing threats to local democracy, including political polarisation, disinformation campaigns and foreign interference. Mayors and local leaders exchanged experiences and best practices for protecting democratic participation, rebuilding public trust and strengthening community resilience.
A dedicated workshop focused on the resilience of Ukrainian cities during wartime and their preparation for long-term recovery and reconstruction. Municipal leaders, experts and partners discussed practical mechanisms for supporting local administrations, rebuilding critical infrastructure and maintaining essential public services under extremely challenging conditions.
Urban resilience, housing and sustainable urban development was a crucial part of a broader discussion. Socio-economic, climate, environmental and disaster resilience are separate but interconnected challenges at the local level. Local leaders called on G7 governments to empower local governance and social equity by increasing financial and regulatory support to simplify housing processes, ensuring social transfer systems provide equitable access to affordable, climate resilient homes.
The declaration also reflects the discussion on how cities can become engines of competitiveness and sustainable transformation. The ecological, digital and economic transitions at the core of the G7 agenda are inherently urban in nature.
A Shared Message to G7 Leaders
As the signatories put it: “As local governments, our primary concern is the delivery of an inclusive, just, sustainable, and prosperous future for all our inhabitants. In doing so, we are on the frontlines of securing our democracies and economies, implementing the climate and digital transitions, and providing accessible, affordable, and resilient infrastructure and services. This unique role establishes us as long-term, strategic, and trusted partners to the G7, with whom we are committed to engaging in a permanent, constructive, and responsible dialogue.”
Concluding the two-day meeting, U7 members called on G7 leaders to institutionalise dialogue with cities and local governments, recognising them as indispensable actors in addressing global challenges. The Nancy Declaration sends a clear message: effective responses to socio-economic transitions, climate change, democratic threats, social inequalities and security challenges depend on stronger partnerships between all levels of government within the G7 and enhanced international cooperation beyond.
Photo: Ville de Nancy