The Hague/Bristol – September, 2018. Up to 100 mayors from around the world will participate in the largest and most ambitious Global Parliament of Mayors Summit which will be held in Bristol this autumn (21 to 23 October). The three day event will focus on tackling key global challenges such as migration, urban security and population health.

More than 80 mayors from African, Asian, European and US cities have already confirmed that they will be taking part. They will be focussing on finding new ways to collaborate, and ensure that city networks are collectively heard within international frameworks, such as the UN’s Global Compact for Migration, to help tackle some of the most critical issues of our age.

Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees will host the event and argues that global challenges such as climate change, migration, urban security and population health cannot be left to national governments acting alone. The experience of city leaders, who are dealing with many of these issues on the front line, is needed to help shape both national and international policy on these important subjects.

Keynote speakers will include Mayor of Cape Town and GPM chair, Patricia de Lille, and representatives from the British Council and OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) who will share their experience of working across boundaries. They will also facilitate sessions aimed at ensuring the leaders of cities, regions and networks of cities sit alongside national leaders to shape national and international policy.

Other speakers include Steven K. Benjamin, Mayor of Columbia Carolina and chair of the US Conference of Mayors who will give a key note speech at the event, and Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Mayor of Freetown in Sierra Leone who will be taking part in a panel to discuss women in leadership.

Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol who is treasurer of the Global Parliament of Mayors executive committee said:
“I am enormously proud to be hosting the Global Parliament of Mayors third summit here in my home city of Bristol. This is an exciting opportunity to decide how cities can best collaborate to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time, and ensure that local knowledge, expertise and connections are effectively fed into national and international processes. Together, we will explore ways in which we can ensure that migration is a force for good, and that city leaders’ voices feed in to international agreements around migration. We will explore how city leaders can improve public health and be prepared for 21st century pandemics, and discuss collaboration to increase urban security before voting on key priorities that we will commit to tackling collectively. But this is about much more than sharing knowledge and best practice – it’s about actively committing to work together to deliver change and improve lives.”

The format of the Summit will operate as a global parliament, ensuring that participants are actively involved in debates before voting on key decisions and commitments. The programme is focussed on agreeing key actions to tackle the priority issues of migration, urban security and health.

Caroline Schep, Executive Director of GPM Secretariat said:
“It’s fantastic that this year’s Global Parliament of Mayors summit is taking place in Bristol, a city that welcomes people with open arms. Working across countries and continents, contributors have put together a compelling and relevant programme and I’m delighted that such a broad range of nations will be taking part. Collaboration is key to success and our member mayors look forward to discussing and agreeing our key strategic priorities to help improve the lives of the people we represent in their cities.”

The whole summit will also be a showcase for the best of UK industry with businesses from across the world providing opportunities to develop new trade and investment links.

As part of the summit programme the mayor of Bristol will host the first formal meeting of the UK’s Core Cities, Combined Authority (metro) mayors and representation from the Mayor of London’s Office.

 

For media enquiries please contact GPMmedia@bristol.gov.uk +44 0117 922 2650. Media are welcome to attend and cover the Global Parliament of Mayors Summit in Bristol 21 – 23 October. Please apply for media accreditation please here: http://gpm.eventreference.com/press

Notes to Editors

  • Journalists are welcome to attend and cover the Global Parliament of Mayors Summit in Bristol 21 – 23 October. Please apply for media accreditation here: http://gpm.eventreference.com/press
  • To find out more about the Global Parliament of Mayors 2018 Summit and view the full programme, go to https://globalparliamentofmayors.org/annual-summit-2018/ 
  • You can follow the event on social media at @gpmayors #GPMSummit and facebook.com/globalparliamentofmayors/
  • Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Rob Eveleigh, Sponsorship Director GPM2018@brightelm.co.uk +44 (0) 117 427 0105.