Search

News

Read articles on our activities and inclusive multilateralism in International Geneva

Call for Interest: From Smart Cities to the Citiverse

We are calling all proactive, alert and agile cities and regions: join the UN Virtual Worlds Day on 11 May 2026. Share with us your city’s innovative project on the application of AI and digital twins to build resilience across critical sectors. If selected, you will be invited to present your city’s activities to the international community.

New Chair – New Hope for the plastic pollution treaty

The Global Cities Hub as part of the Local and Subnational Government Coalition to End Plastic Pollution assisted to the 3rd Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on the Plastic Pollution treaty. Our Coalition stands ready to work with all delegations to deliver an ambitious and effective treaty to end plastic pollution.

The Global Cities Hub calls for LRG inclusion at 2026 IMRF briefing

The Global Cities Hub took part in the first briefing convened by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to prepare for the 2026 International Migration Review Forum (IMRF). The GCH intervened to call for space for LRGs to participate and contribute. Migration is a cross-cutting issue managed at all levels of government!

New Science policy panel on Chemicals opens its 1st session

The United Nations’ most recent scientific body, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (ISP-CWP), opened on Monday, 2 February 2026 in Geneva. The Global Cities Hub will encourage the effective involvement of local and regional governments in the work of the ISP-CWP.

How cities can influence the global agenda in 2026

The Global Cities Hub and UNECE hosted the first “UN Forum of Mayors Information Series”. Speakers from UNECE, ITU, UNEP, and UN-Habitat introduced some of the most important multilateral meetings and negotiations in 2026. Across all interventions, one word consistently emerged: localization.

GCH contributes to the “Spirit of Dialogue” in Davos

As the 56th WEF Annual Meeting opens, its theme “A Spirit of Dialogue” resonates with the GCH’s mission: connecting local and regional governments to the UN and other IOs. We should tap into the power of local and regional governments to contribute solutions to global challenges, through public-private and multilevel cooperation.

High-Level Panel Calls for Coordinated Global Action on Housing

The GCH moderated a briefing ahead of the 13th World Urban Forum. High-level representatives, including UN-Habitat Executive Director, highlighted the critical role of local and regional governments in housing delivery and underscored the importance of strong national frameworks, innovative financing mechanisms and multilevel governance.

UN Forum of Mayors to take place on 12-13 October 2026

The GCH, official partner of the UN Forum of Mayors (FoM), is happy to share that the 6th UN Forum of Mayors will take place on 12-13 October 2026. Associated events with the UN Forum of Mayors will also take place in the days following the Forum.

UNEA-7: advancing multilevel cooperation for a resilient planet

The Global Cities Hub participated in the 7th session (8-12 December 2025) of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) “Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet”. Throughout UNEA, the GCH consistently highlighted the critical role of local and regional governments (LRGs) in addressing environmental challenges and accelerating climate action.