Mayors meet Heads of International Organizations
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Description
Mayors meet Heads of International Organizations
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The Forum of Mayors is a unique UN body where mayors can engage in their own capacity to discuss pressing local and global challenges. This year’s focus on the outcomes of the Summit of the Future constitutes a moment to reinforce the connection between global governance and the people of the world to restore trust towards a more inclusive and effective UN multilateral system. At the 4th Forum of Mayors entitled “the Cities’ Summit of the Future”, mayors will be provided with the opportunity to directly interact with distinguished leaders of international organizations and discuss how to handle today’s most pressing global challenges with local effects. Inclusive and effective multilateralism requires a whole-of-government approach where the different levels complement and strengthen each other to find adequate solutions. The Pact for the Future as the outcome of the UN Summit of the Future is supposed to echo this consideration. This special high-level meeting between heads of International Organizations (International Organization for Migration-IOM, UN Economic Commission for Europe-UNECE, UN Trade and Development-UNCTAD, and World Health Organization-WHO) and Mayors participating in the Forum will focus on the topics of forced displacement, sustainable urbanization, trade and development in urban contexts, as well as urban health and pandemic preparedness, which are all highly relevant both in the multilateral discussions and at local level. The open exchange will enable mayors to receive first-hand information about the work of these international organizations with local governments and communities and to share their point of view on these crucial issues. It will provide them also the opportunity to ask directly from the leaders the most relevant questions from a local angle. The Global Cities Hub stands ready to help conducting follow-up on relevant issues. The Global Cities Hub is working actively on the engagement of local and regional governments in multilateral processes, and it is convinced that such a meeting will be a highlight of the mayors’ visit to Geneva and a great opportunity for international organizations to directly engage with subnational governments. An all-women leaders’ panel shows also the remarkable example of female leadership and inspires the promotion of inclusive environment in local administrations. |
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Date: 1 st October 2024
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Speakers
Ms. Tatiana Molcean, Executive Secretary (UNECE)
UNECE is one of the five UN Regional Economic Commissions. It facilitates greater economic integration and cooperation among its member States and promotes sustainable development and economic prosperity through policy dialogue and the exchange of best practices, technical cooperation, the negotiation of international instruments and the development of regulations and norms. UNECE is committed to provide cities with a voice in relation to urban sustainability, which lies at the center of its areas of interest.
Mr Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, protects people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. Headquartered in Geneva, UNHCR works in over 130 countries protecting refugees, stateless people and internally displaced persons (IDPs), by responding with life-saving support, safeguarding fundamental human rights and helping them build a better future. This includes in cities which now host ~60% of the world’s refugees and ~80% of the world’s IDPs. Indeed, while refugees and IDPs used to live predominantly in camps a few decades ago, the majority of them now live in urban areas. There, they hope for a better access to basic services and employment opportunities.
Ms. Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary General, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
UNCTAD is exploring how vulnerabilities, such as climate change, sea-level rise, and natural disasters can affect trade and development prospects. It promotes sustainable urban development strategies tailored to the unique needs of coastal cities, including sustainable ocean or blue economy considerations, green and resilient infrastructure, and fostering inclusive growth. UN Trade and Development provides, at their requests, policy recommendations to governments – and sometimes to local and regional authorities – to address the challenges faced by coastal cities effectively.
Ms. Li Ailan, Assistant Director General, World Health Organization (WHO)
WHO works with 194 member States to achieve better health for everyone, everywhere. Headquartered in Geneva, it has a large presence in the field with 50 country offices and 6 regional offices. WHO runs global health prevention and promotion campaigns, produces global standards in a broad array of health-related areas, such as the triple health burden faced by cities: infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, pneumonia, dengue and diarrhea; noncomtmunicable diseases like heart disease, stroke, asthma, cancer, diabetes and depression; and violence and injuries, including road traffic injuries.
Moderated by the Global Cities Hub (Sami Kanaan / Anh Thu Duong)
Registration
Please register here.
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