PAST EDITIONS
In this page, you can find information on past editions of the Forum of Mayors, including links to the UNECE website for each edition and to the UNTV broadcast.
The Global Cities Hub has participated in sessions of the Forum of Mayors since 2020. We are a strong supporter of the Forum which is a unique opportunity for local and regional governments to engage with the multilateral system on key global issues with local effects.
The Fifth UN Forum of Mayors took place on 6 and 7 October 2025 in Geneva with the participation of more than 60 mayors from all over the world.
The theme was “Cities shaping the Future”, with topics focusing around SDG3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG5 (Gender Equality) and SDG8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Moreover, mayors engaged in discussions on Climate Finance Mechanisms, Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs), Housing and Urban Development, Cooling and Urban Climate Resilience as tools to advance sustainable local development.
The President of the Global Cities Hub, Deputy Mayor of Geneva Ms. Christina Kitsos, delivered opening remarks in the first session of the Forum. Alongside her, speakers included Ms. Tatiana Molcean, Executive Secretary of UNECE; Ms. Anacláudia Rossbach, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN-Habitat; and Ms. Laura Thompson, Assistant Director-General of ILO.
The programme of events included:
Cooling and Building for Urban Resilience: Local Solutions, Global Impact (7 October 2025)
This event provided a dedicated space to explore how urban cooling and resilient building strategies can address extreme heat and fire risks. Local and regional governments are on the frontline of implementing practical solutions.
High-level Meeting of Mayors and Heads of International Organizations (7 October 2025)
The heads of UNECE, ITU, UN-Habitat and UNDRR engaged directly with mayors on housing, urban resilience, digitalization and smart cities.
Action-Oriented Plans for Implementing Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) (7 October 2025)
This event, dedicated to Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs), highlighted the growing role of local and regional governments (LRGs) in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through transparent, data-driven, and participatory review processes.
Urban Futures Dialogue: Driving Public-Private Collaboration for Future-Ready Cities (8 October 2025)
A special event by invitation only at the World Economic Forum (WEF) it gathered mayors, business leaders, and civil society to explore how cities and the private sector can work hand in hand to accelerate innovation and sustainable urban development.
You can watch the Fourth Forum of Mayors on UNTV:
The Fourth UN Forum of Mayors (ECE/HBP/2023/42 §75) was held on 30 September – 1 October in Geneva.
The theme was “Cities Summit of the Future”.
It took place immediately after the UN Summit of the Future. Discussions focused on topics relevant to cities that were explored during the Summit.
You can watch the Fourth Forum of Mayors on UNTV:
The Third UN Forum of Mayors was held on 2-3 October in Geneva.
The theme was “Urban regeneration towards 2030”.
You can watch the Third Forum of Mayors on UNTV:
The Second UN Forum of Mayors was held on 4-5 April in Geneva.
The theme was “Recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic while advancing the implementation of the SDGs”.
You can watch the Second Forum of Mayors on UNTV:
The First UN Forum of Mayors was held on 6 October in Geneva.
The theme was “City action for a resilient future”.