THE ETHICAL USE OF AI IN CITIES
OCTOBER 2024
It is widely assumed that AI and AI-associated technologies will enhance economic growth and public well-being in ‘smart cities’. GCH’s new policy paper argues that local and regional governments (LRGs) should deploy these technologies, but only when they contribute to LRGs’ public mission and enhance the quality of life and meet the needs of their citizens. The paper looks at the opportunities and challenges that the use of AI might pose in cities. It reviews where AI can best serve local governments, and gives an overview of the guiding principles that ensure AI’s ethical use. It also argues that LRGs should be able to feed their needs and expectations into global processes for AI regulation. GCH hopes that this paper will serve as food-for-thoughts at the Smart City Leaders’ Talks on 28 May at the WSIS High-level events.
PANDEMIC TREATY GCH POLICY PAPER
SEPTEMBER 2024
States have been negotiating a new pandemic treaty at the World Health Organization (WHO) to prevent, prepare for, and respond to future pandemics more equitably and cooperatively. The GCH argues that Local and Regional Governments (LRGs), key players in the COVID-19 response, should be included in the Sate-led negotiation process and explicitly referred to in the treaty. As the 11th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) to draft and negotiate a WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response is about to close, it is high time that we reflect upon what’s (not) in the draft pandemic treaty for local and regional governments. While early drafts mentioned LRGs, these references have been watered down over time. However, article 17 on “whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches” remains, which constitutes the main entry point for LRGs into the treaty. This paper offers observations on States’ perspectives and highlights challenges that need to be overcome if LRGs are to be more fully involved in the negotiations.
ENGAGING LRGs IN MULTILATERALISM
MARCH 2023
For its 3rd Anniversary, the GCH publishes a working paper on the engagement of LRGs in multilateralism. To mark its 3rd anniversary, the Global Cities Hub publishes a working paper offering some informal reflections on how to advance the involvement of local and regional governments in multilateralism.
The document takes stock of the past three years of work and looks at the next steps. First, the paper briefly explains how the GCH understands multilateralism and the current standing of LRGs in the multilateral system. It then examines the value that LRGs can bring to multilateralism, the reasons they want to engage, and the obstacles that impede them from doing so. Third, the working paper looks at the stakeholders that can assist the GCH to achieve its objectives. In addition to LRGs themselves, the GCH works with Member States, city networks and international organizations. It argues that Geneva is the right place to raise the profile of LRGs in multilateralism.
Finally, the GCH describes what it can do to assist LRGs to participate in multilateralism and the entry points that exist or need to be created to enhance multilateralism and make it more inclusive, effective and relevant in the longer run. Overall, the GCH hopes that this document will shed light on what can be done to support and advance the engagement of LRGs in international affairs, and to overcome obstacles that hinder their engagement.
MAYORS’ DECLARATION FOR BETTER PANDEMIC PREVENTION, PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE
SEPTEMBER 2023
The Global Parliament of Mayors and the Global Cities Hub are calling on mayors from around the world to sign the Mayors’ Declaration for Better Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response. This crucial initiative aims to strengthen collaboration between cities, international organizations, and member states to ensure a more effective response to future pandemics.
The Global Parliament of Mayors and the Global Cities Hub are calling on mayors from around the world to sign the Mayors’ Declaration for Better Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response. This crucial initiative aims to strengthen collaboration between cities, international organizations, and member states to ensure a more effective response to future pandemics.
TIPS FOR LRGS PARTICIPATING IN THE UN UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW
MARCH 2021
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 it unique, the reasons why LRGs should get involved in the UPR, the links that exist between the UPR and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and most importantly, it puts forward recommendations to both LRGs wishing to participate in UPR and States wishing to support LRGs participation in the UPR.