What we do

The Global Cities Hub (GCH) connects cities and local and regional governments (LRGs) to International Geneva’s ecosystem, which includes the United Nations (UN), other international organizations, representatives of States, and a wide range of academic and civil society actors.

The GCH envisages a world in which LRGs are recognized as full-fledged actors in multilateral governance and actively strengthen its overall effectiveness to respond more effectively to global challenges.

The GCH’s mission is twofold:

• contribute to a more inclusive and effective multilateralism, by strengthening LRG’s influence in Geneva-based multilateral processes
• promote the “urban” on the agenda of International Geneva, by providing it with a space to discuss urban issues. 

 3 core objectives lie at the heart of the GCH’s work:

• becoming the main platform for international urban diplomacy;
• increasing LRG’s influence at the international level;
• identifying future international trends that matter for cities.

To realize these objectives, the GCH runs activities following the 4Cs: Convening, Connecting, Championing, Capacity-building:

• Convening events to promote the development of a more inclusive and effective multilateralism and to raise awareness about the urban dimension of global challenges
• Connecting LRGs and city networks to the international community. To do so, the GCH identifies entry points into multilateral processes where LRGs can contribute and provides policy advice to that effect
• Championing the role and perspectives of LRGs in multilateral processes, by encouraging States to better acknowledge LRGs and formalize their participation at the international level.
• Supporting Capacity-building for LRGs, by serving as an information hub on key urban topics and actors. The GCH does so through its Mapping, Directory of International City Networks, policy work and its broad network of contacts within International Geneva.

In terms of thematic engagement, the GCH focuses on the local dimension of specific topics, including:  human rights, urban health, environment and climate change, sustainable urban development and smart cities. In doing so, the GCH engages with selected multilateral bodies, such as the UN Forum of Mayors, the UN Human Rights Council or the UN Environment Assembly.

By taking part in diverse multilateral initiatives and building effective partnerships and alliances, the GCH builds the foundations to achieve its long-term objective: a dedicated role for LRGs in multilateralism, including a new status for them to take part in the UN in their own capacity.