26 June 2020 – A key global priority is reducing violence of all forms, especially in cities. Over 600,000 people are killed every year around the world in situations of urban conflict, extremism, crime and interpersonal violence. In recent times, citizens across the country have stood up against race-based violence through demonstrations and unified protests. Yet there are also remarkable examples of cities preventing and reducing violence, especially where there is smart leadership, data-driven and evidence-based interventions focused on hot spots and social and economic prevention measures.
Now the GPM has adopted the resolution to halve violence by 2030.
The GPM can play a key role in helping cities around the world accelerate their efforts to meet the 50% target by 2030. The proposal is to strengthen the GPM Resolution and implement a set of evidence-based actions by inviting mayors individually and from city networks around the world to also become signatories to the Resolution. The GPM and partnering city networks will deliver the final Resolution to the UN Secretary General and the General Assembly during the UNGA session between 15-30 September 2020. This will show cities to be supportive and aligned to the UN goals on reducing violence, and demonstrate the leadership they are taking on this issue.
The GPM will launch the resolution vote worldwide and call on all mayors, representatives of international organisations and city networks to reduce violence by 50% by 2030 and achieve SDG16 to promote peace and end violence.
The GPM fosters urban safety and security through policies and practices that engage residents, lead to social cohesion, and a better quality of life for all. In May 2020 the GPM and UN-Habitat organized several high-level sessions with UN representatives, experts and mayors from around the world on the challenges relating to the safety and security of inhabitants in the cities and the effects of Covid-19. The GPM strengthens strategic partnerships with international organisations to reinforce the global voice of cities on urban security and is well situated to drive a global city-led violence reduction agenda.
In 2019, the GPM’s Durban Declaration underlined the GPM’s commitment to reduce violence by 50% by 2030. It stressed the importance of comprehensive and integrated strategies based on evidence of what works in cities. The GPM is not alone. Specifically, Pathfinders for SDG16 – a multi-stakeholder coalition of dozens of governments, international agencies, and NGOs – has also committed to reducing violence by 50% by 2030. Another city-based initiative, Peace in Our Cities, co-launched by Pathfinders, Impact: Peace and +Peace, and includes GPM city members Amman, Dayton and Durban.
Mayors, city networks and NGOs are called upon to strengthen the voice of cities on this crucial matter and to support the Resolution on the Virtual Parliament, find the resolution here. Please contact the gpm@denhaag.nl to receive instructions on how to put forward your support on the resolution.