NETWORKS & PARTNERSHIPS
The GPM very deliberately builds on the extraordinary work of a wide range of urban networks. That said, the GPM has no intention of duplicating the existing activities of or competing with inter-city entities. Rather, the GPM is seeking to support existing debates and amplify the messages of other networks, while advancing new ones that are currently not being addressed in order to empower city-city and city-state cooperation.
Current networks and partnerships that are working with the GPM include:
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Held in Barcelona since 2011, Smart City Expo World Congress is the world’s biggest and most influential event for cities and urban innovation. Every year, we bring together leaders from global companies, governments and organizations to move cities towards a better future. SCEWC’s goal is to collectivize urban innovation across the globe and empower cities to tackle the critical challenges facing them today.
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The United Nations Human Settlements Programme is the United Nations programme for human settlements and sustainable urban development. It was established in 1978 as an outcome of the First UN Conference on Human Settlements and Sustainable Urban Development held in Vancouver, Canada, in 1976. UN Habitat organises biennially the World Urban Forum, an international conference dedicated to urban issues, organized by UN-Habitat. It was established by the United Nations to examine one of the most pressing issues facing the world today: rapid urbanization and how to ensure a sustainable urban development. In 2020 the Global Parliament of Mayors was represented during the WUF in Abu Dhabi. Afterwards it co-hosted the two-day webinar on the impact of Covid-19 on urban safety and security in connection to the pre-Covid process on the implementation of the UN systemwide Guidelines on Safer Cities and Human Settlements. The conclusion of this webinar contributed to the next steps towards a workplan and WUF22.
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For more than 70 years, UNICEF has worked to improve the lives of children and their families. Despite remarkable challenges around the world, UNICEF staffers fight for the rights of every child seeking safe shelter, nutrition, protection from disaster and conflicts, and equality. UNICEF works with partners around the world to promote policies and expand access to services that protect all children. Every child has the right to grow up in a safe and inclusive environment. UNICEF has helped reduce child mortality all over the world by working to reach the most vulnerable children, everywhere.
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The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation that works to build better policies for better lives. Their goal is to shape policies that foster prosperity, equality, opportunity, and well-being for all. Drawing on 60 years of experience and insights to better prepare the world of tomorrow, OECD works with governments, policy-makers, and citizens, on establishing evidence-based international standards and finding solutions to a range of social, economic, and environmental challenges. From improving economic performance and creating jobs to fostering strong education and fighting international tax evasion, the organisation provides a unique forum and knowledge hub for data and analysis, exchange of experiences, best-practice sharing, and advice on public policies and international standard-setting.
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The Mayors Migration Council (MMC) is a mayor-led advising and advocacy group that assists cities in shaping national and international migration and displacement policies. Their aim is to guarantee that global solutions to critical issues, such as pandemics and climate change, reflect and address the reality on the ground in order to benefit migrants, displaced people, and the communities that welcome them.
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In partnership with the British Council, we are bringing city leaders around the world together to share ideas and collaborate on tackling climate change. By 2050, an estimated 143 million people will be displaced in Africa, Latin America and South Asia if we do not take steps to address climate change, according to the World Bank. We recognise the important role cities play in responding to climate change – and the value of policy engagement through cultural relations ahead of COP26 . Launched in 2021, our new project – Uniting Mayors for Local Solutions to Global Climate Challenges – enables mayors to connect, share knowledge and take collective action to tackle issues such as climate migration, and its effects on culture and heritage. The project will empower city leaders from the global north and south and ensure that their voices are heard among decision-makers on the global climate emergency. It will also ensure that the voices of women, young people and diverse groups are included in climate debates.
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. They build connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and the English language. Last year BC reached over 80 million people directly and 791 million people overall including online, and through broadcasts and publications. Founded in 1934 the BC is a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body. The BC receives a 15 per cent core funding grant from the UK government. The BC is leading The Climate Connection global programme brings people around the world together to meet the challenges of climate change in the lead up to COP26. Through arts and culture, education and the English language, it is about ideas, innovation and real change.
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The Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments is a coordination and consultation mechanism that brings together the major international networks of local governments to undertake joint advocacy work relating to global policy processes. It was set up in 2013 to bring the perspectives of local and regional governments to the SDGs, climate change agenda and New Urban Agenda in particular.
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The Chicago Council was formed during the period of fervent isolationism in the United States after World War I. The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is an independent, nonpartisan organization that provides insight on critical global issues, advances policy solutions, and fosters dialogue about what is happening in the world and why it matters to people in Chicago, the United States, and around the globe. It organises an annual international conference that raises provocative questions about the influence of global cities and how they can solve pressing global challenges. Participating thought leaders and decision makers create new connections and develop innovative solutions to advance in their own cities.
The Sicilian branch of the National Association of Italian Cities (ANCI) and the Global Parliament of Mayors (GPM) have signed a letter of intent to start an Associated Partnership. The Associated Partnership will include a representation of two Sicilian mayors in the GPM.
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The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) is the official non-partisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are 1,408 such cities in the USA today. Each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. The USCM is one of the founding partners of the Global Parliament of Mayors and has a representative in the GPM Executive Committee. The USCM serves as an important intermediary for United States cities.
EUROCITIES is the network of major European cities. Its members are the elected local and municipal governments of major European cities. EUROCITIES brings together the local governments of over 135 of Europe’s largest cities and over 45 partner cities, that between them govern 130 million citizens across 39 countries. As one of the founding partners of the GPM, EUROCITIES has a representative in the GPM Executive Committee and, by that, is an important liaison between the GPM and mayors of European Cities.
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European Forum for Urban Security (EFUS) is founded in 1987 under the auspices of the Council of Europe. EFUS is the only European network of local and regional authorities dedicated to urban security. It includes nearly 250 local and regional authorities from 16 countries. Its objectives are to promote a balanced vision of urban security, combining prevention, sanctions and social cohesion, to support local and regional authorities in the conception, implementation and evaluation of their local security policy and to help local elected officials get recognition for their role in the development and implementation of national and European policies.
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Peace In Our Cities calls on mayors, local authorities, civil society, the private sector, and other partners to sign the pledge and join the growing movement to transform global violence. By signing the Peace in Our Cities SDG16 Action Pledge, cities are committing to participate in a 12-month initiative that will provide city leadership and partners with the latest evidence of effective methods for reducing urban violence. They will also help shape a city-to-city collaboration framework to develop and drive global best-practices for SDG16. As the coordinating bodies for the campaign, Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies, +Peace, and Impact:Peace, applaud the city officials who already signed the action pledge and call on many more to join them at the forefront of the global movement to reduce violence.
Welcoming America is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that leads a movement of inclusive communities becoming more prosperous by ensuring everyone belongs. We believe that all people, including immigrants, are valued contributors and vital to the success of our communities and shared future. Through the Welcoming Network, we help communities develop the roadmap they need to create welcoming policies and share new approaches to inclusion to create an environment where everyone can truly thrive. Welcoming International is an initiative of Welcoming America consisting of several programs, including the Welcoming International Alliance of national welcoming networks, global learning exchanges for local leaders, and technical assistance to advance multisector welcoming strategies
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The International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN) is an independent organisation of cities and regions offering shelter to writers and artists at risk, advancing freedom of expression, defending democratic values and promoting international solidarity.
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Dedicated to sustainable development, Arup is a collective of designers, advisors and experts working across 140 countries. Founded to be both humane and excellent, they collaborate with clients and partners using imagination, technology and rigour to shape a better world.
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New Learning Ventures provides the experience, expertise and services to make societal-scale transformation successful. The Global Parliament of Mayors and New Learning Ventures (Delaware/USA) will work together to create GPM Talent Cities. The GPM Talent Cities programme aims to develop tailor made projects in cities that generate new opportunities to meet citizen and city needs supporting the goals of inclusion and equity, development of emerging economies, sustainable employment, talent leadership hubs and education transformation.
The Creative Bureaucracy celebrates outstanding innovation in the public sector and its contribution to a better, more sustainable, and more just world. It brings together bureaucrats and their allies – those who, at all levels of government, fight for the common good and make a difference. The mission of the Creative Bureaucracy is to cultivate a more positive attitude towards the public sector as well as more drive and eagerness to experiment within the public sector. The Creative Bureaucracy works in two ways: by organising the annual Creative Bureaucracy Festival –its third edition in 2020 and, for the first time, completely online – and becoming the digital library for bureaucracy at its best: a platform for good ideas and creative minds, open for business year-round.
The URBAN FUTURE global conference is Europe’s largest event for sustainable cities. But it is also so much more than that. It’s a community of passionate CityChangers from all over the world. Active, passionate and visionary decision-makers – we call them CityChangers – are the ones who drive change and create sustainable urban spaces. The four focus areas are changing from year to year, taking into consideration any input the UFGC gets from local and international stakeholders. The UFGC edition 2021 in Rotterdam will shape around the following core themes: Urban Mobility, Skills and Leadership, Circular and Districts.