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Read articles on our activities and inclusive multilateralism in International Geneva

HRC statement on women’s participation in decision-making systems

During the 58th session of the Human Rights Council a group of countries made a joint statement on women’s participation in decision-making systems. The GCH applauds the commitment of those countries and agrees with the content of the statement. However, we could not resist the temptation to share a version of the statement as it would look like …

Our 2024 Annual Report is out!

In 2024, the GCH consolidated its role as a key platform for city engagement on the international stage. Building on its growing network and influence, the GCH promoted a multilateral system that is more inclusive vis-à-vis LRGs. In doing so, the GCH mainly focused on the international ecosystem in Geneva, given the diversity of its …

Cities and Human Security: Urbanization and Housing in an Unstable World

On February 21, 2025, the Global Cities Hub and UN-Habitat organized a workshop on “Cities and Human Security: Urbanization and Housing in an Unstable World”. The purpose of the meeting was for Geneva-based partners to develop a way forward for consolidating their work with UN-Habitat, building on UN-Habitat’s legacy of 30 years of the safer cities programme and with due cognizance of its new strategic plan, which focuses on addressing the global housing crisis. Key challenges …

Empowering Mayors to lead change on road safety, climate change and urban health.

On 19 February 2025, the Global Cities Hub (GCH) had the honour of opening a high-level Mayor’s Panel at the 4th WHO Global Ministerial Road Safety Conference, alongside city leaders from Paris, New York, Marrakech, and Guayaquil. With over 100 ministers from around the world in attendance and UN high-level officials like Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (WHO Director General), Jean Todt (UN Special Envoy for Road Safety) and Tatiana Molcean (UNECE Executive Secretary), it was remarkable to see an international conference dedicate one of its plenary sessions specifically to cities and mayors—a testament to their central role in shaping global policy.

Localizing financing for sustainable climate-responsive development

5 years from the deadline of Agenda2030 it is crystal clear that attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will require the unlocking of local solutions, especially regarding climate-related efforts. In 2025 we will hear a lot about financing, including ‘Financing for Development’, ‘climate financing’ and ‘localization of financing’. Find GCH’s policy paper “Strengthening confidence in …

Financing for Development needs to happen at all levels

On 10-14 February 2025, the Third Session of the Preparatory Committee for the Fourth Financing for Development Conference (FfD4) takes place in New York. GCH has sent its observations and recommendations to the committee based on its position that Local and Regional governments (LRGs) have a fair view of the development needs being the closest level of governance to the population. Better representation of their voice in global economic governance, policy development and decision-making would help deliver more effective institutions with bigger impact on the ground.