GPM Summit 2021, Palermo, Italy

RESET: CITIES LEADING IN A NEW ERA

Online Programme

Thursday, 21 October, 15.00 – 18.00 hrs CEST
Friday, 22 October, 14.30 – 18.15 hrs CEST

This year’s GPM Annual Summit will address how cities are rebuilding in the wake of the Covid- 19 pandemic. The event explores the role of mayors in advocating for and implementing policies with the objective of improving the living conditions of city residents, as well as ensuring that recovery from the pandemic is inclusive, just, and green. This summit highlights the importance of cooperation between cities in the Global South and Global North in tackling global challenges. The theme builds on the work of the GPM over the last fifteen (15) months on the post-Covid city.

Themes for debates:

      • Governance
      • Climate Migration
      • Public Health Policies
      • Culture: Re-Imagining Urban Environments
      • Local Economies

THURSDAY,21st OCTOBER

15.00 – 18.00 hrs CEST

Moderator:
Ivo Daalder, President Chicago Council on Global Affairs USA, Chair Advisory Committee GPM

15.00 – 15.30

  • Opening by GPM Chair Mayor Kurz (Mannheim, Germany) and Host City Mayor Orlando (Palermo, Italy)
  • Keynote speaker
  • Announcement of recipient of dr. Benjamin Barber Global Cities Award 2021

15.30 – 16.30

  • Plenary Debate on Governance:

Cities Leading: Rethinking Global Governance

Governance is at the heart of the work of the GPM. This year, the debate on governance will focus on empowering cities globally through one message: enough talking and more action. Although many acknowledge the importance of cities in addressing global challenges, cities are too often marginalized in global policy agendas. This session showcases the significance of cities by highlighting the changing role of urban governance in confronting global problems and crises. The session will examine three key priority areas: reinforcing national-local collaboration, building global multi-stakeholder partnerships, and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders to unlock an inclusive recovery and build resilience. This session will also shape the GPM’s internal discourses and its positioning towards organizations like the United Nations (UN), UN-Habitat, and Global Taskforce, as well as key events including the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP) and World Urban Forum (WUF).

Speakers

  • Introductory statement by Aziza Akhmouch,  Head of Local Division on Cities, Urban Policies and Sustainable Development, OECD
  • Peter Kurz, mayor of Mannheim, Germany, GPM Chair
  • Grace Mary Mugasa, Minister of State for Public Services, former mayor of Hoima, Uganda
  • Maimunah Sharif, Executive Director, UN Habitat

16.30-16.45

  • Break

16.45 – 17.45

  • Plenary Debate on Climate Migration:

Cities as Global Leaders on Climate Migration

In an urbanizing world, cities are the main sanctuaries for the growing number of people affected by climate and environmental change. Cities, as hosts to many migrants, have a mandate and a responsibility to provide for the needs of their residents, including migrants, and to support the newcomers’ integration. In the absence of global leadership and locally identified protection programs, some cities and nations are facing complete destruction, with developing countries and vulnerable communities being hardest hit by the environmental crises. This session recognizes that climate change is reality, and can be slowed but not stopped by the international community’s commitments to reducing emissions and transitioning toward renewable energy. As such, we must build resilience and advocate for inclusive adaptation programs by linking local knowledge and global resources through locally situated leaders. This includes seeking out and integrating their local knowledge, expertise, and needs into national policy actions, and providing the tools and resources cities need to provide direct services to migrants in their community, regardless of legal status.

Speakers

  • Introductory statement by Michele Klein Solomon, Regional Director for Central and North America and the Caribbean, IOM
  • Ricardo Rio, Mayor of Braga, Portugal, member of the GPM Executive Committee and Treasurer
  • William Peduto, mayor of Pittsburg, USA
  • Michael Delafosse, mayor of Montpellier, France
  • Manuel d’Araujo, mayor of Quelimane, Mozambique
  • Kathy Baughmann McLeod, Director Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center

17.45

  • Conclusions of the debates

18.00

  • End of the 1st GPM Summit Day programme

Interactive polling may be used during the plenary sessions to assess the opinions of participants.

FRIDAY, 22nd OCTOBER

14.30 – 18.15 hrs CEST

  • 14.30 – 14.45
    • Opening 2nd Summit Day by the GPM Chair
    • Keynote speaker TBC

    14.45 – 15.45

    • Plenary Debate on Public Health:

    Urban pandemic response: global vaccination

    The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical role that cities play in protecting health, not just of local residents, but also of national and global populations. Cities have been on the frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic, and mayors have worked tirelessly to protect their populations. Focusing on global health vaccine distribution, this session explores urban health policies regarding accessibility and affordability of Covid-19 vaccines. The Global Parliament of Mayors believes cities have a powerful role to play in making vaccines and other public health interventions – in particular those which aim to foster broader health and socioeconomic wellbeing – inclusive, equitable, and rooted in the needs of their communities.

    Speakers

    • Introductory statement by dr. Nathalie Laure Roebbel, Head, Urban Health, Social Determinants of Health, World Health Organization
    • Steve Benjamin, mayor of Columbia, SA/USA


    16.00 – 16.45

    • Plenary Debate on Culture:

    Re-imagining urban environments

    This session of the summit develops a compelling narrative that highlights the necessary steps to be taken by cities in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Mayors will discuss the need for new mobilizing projects, including the use of arts and culture, festivals, as well developing an environment for digital events in the post-pandemic era. With lessons learned from the pandemic regarding inequalities, the reconfiguration of public spaces is needed. These efforts should be shaped through participatory processes.

    Speakers

    • Introductory statement by dr. Doris Sommer, Director of the Cultural Agents Initiative, Harvard University


    16.45-17.00

    • Break


    17.00 – 18.00

    • Plenary Debate on Local Economies:

    Resetting our Local Economies

    The Covid-19 pandemic has stalled most of the processes upon which globalization thrives and thus, creates the need for significant change. In this session, the discussion explores the resetting of our local economies. It investigates how the pandemic has affected the global economy by mandating a revitalization of more local/localized forms of economic prosperity. Following this line of thought, the session juxtaposes universal services and further addresses the short supply chains and circularity oriented to basic needs. It calls for a new basis for post-Covid redevelopment and social inclusion; development of local enterprises at the neighbourhood level; and rooting for local public service partners.

    Speakers

    • Claudio Benjamín Orrego Larraín, governor Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile
    • David Balaba, former mayor Iganga, Uganda
    • Hélder Sousa Silva, mayor of Mafra, Portugal, GPM member


    18.00 – 18.15

    • Conclusions of the Summit debates and next steps


    18.15

    • End of GPM Summit 2021

    Interactive polling may be used during the plenary sessions to assess the opinions of participants.