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Member States should acknowledge LRGS’ crucial role in new WHO pandemic treaty

On 15 February, the Geneva Cities Hub took part in the meeting convened by the Bureau of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) to draft and negotiate a new WHO treaty on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. The objective was for the Bureau and Member States to invite relevant stakeholders to provide comments on the zero …

The best way to start implementing UPR recommendation is at local level

On 27 January 2023, the Geneva Cities Hub organized a side-event in the margins of the 42nd session of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). Its objectives was to discuss the issue of local and regional governments (LRGs), human rights and the UPR, a mechanism which involves a peer-review of the situation …

Tips for Local and Regional Governments wishing to participate to the Universal Periodic Review

The Coalition for Local and Regional Governments (LRGs) in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) publishes “UPR Tips for LRGs” to provide information to LRGs interested to take part and contribute to this unique human rights mechanism. The leaflet provides background information on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism and its functioning, the features that makes …

International standards can help cities mitigate water shortages

On 26 January 2023, the Geneva Cities Hub and ISO co-organized a panel discussion on “International standards in support of cities’ and local authorities’ development agenda”. The event focused on how international standards contribute to improving the well-being of citizens and advancing the development of sustainable smart cities and communities. A series of standards on …

Cities are key to beating plastic pollution  

The Geneva Cities Hub (GCH) organized an informative discussion at the attention of Local and Regional Governments (LRGs), who are directly concerned but not involved yet in the negotiation of the new treaty tackling plastic pollution and looking at the full life cycle of plastic: production, distribution, use and waste management. Leading negotiators from Peru …

Historic decision to institutionalize the Forum of Mayors

“I would be tempted to call this decision historic and a remarkable step in the direction of modern and more inclusive global governance; especially here in Geneva which is recognized as a major center of multilateralism.” – said Sami Kanaan, President of GCH, after UNECE Member States took an important decision to institutionalize the Forum …

Cities and New Treaty on Plastic Pollution

On 12 January 2023, the Geneva Cities Hub provided a written submission to inform the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee responsible to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution.   Cities and other local governments have significant influence over various parts of the lifecycle of plastics, which will be addressed by the new treaty. Indeed, while cities are …

Geneva Cities Hub and United Cities and Local Governments sign a MoU

In November 2022, the Geneva Cities Hub (GCH) and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), thus formalizing their cooperation in various fields. The MoU affirms among others, that the GCH and UCLG will continue to co-organize events, to cooperate on matters related to Geneva-based international organizations, including UN-related …

Urbanization affects how development cooperation works. It also affects diplomacy.

On 6 December 2022, the Geneva Cities Hub was invited to speak about “Urbanization and climate change: what challenges for the countries from the Global south?” at an event organized by Helvetas.  GCH emphasized that urbanization had not only impacted the way development cooperation works, but also how diplomacy is conducted. Indeed, as cities grow day …

Refugees go to camps for safety, but they go to cities for opportunities

City governments are best placed to leverage their presence into positive economic and social outcomes for their cities. On 6 December 2022, ahead of the High Commissioner for Refugees’ Annual dialogue on protection challenges, the Geneva Cities Hub co-organized an event with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) entitled “Cities for refugees: places …