In an increasingly globalized and urbanized world, cities face great challenges and opportunities. These need to be addressed through a new global governance model that includes local governments and allows cities to internationalize and acquire a say on issues concerning sustainable development.
On the 16th of October, at the HABITAT III Conference in Quito, Ecuador, a group of 21 mayors, headed by hosting mayor Mauricio Rodas, presented a position paper that addresses several questions: what added value do local governments provide to the New Urban Agenda? Why is a presence in the global governance system needed? And which would be the best approach to achieve that local governments take their place at the global decision-making table? A seat at the global table urges world leaders to include the “voice” of local authorities at decision-making spaces at the international and global levels.
The proposals presented are the result of a rich and substantial debate between local and regional governments and international networks in across all continents, coordinated by the Metropolitan District and the Government of Mexico City, through the European-Latin American Cooperation Alliance among Cities (AL-LAs), the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments for Habitat III (GTF) and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), with the financial support of the European Union.
Read the document:
A seat at the global table. Local governments as decision-makers in world affairs.
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