Dear Friends and Fellow Mayors,

Collaboration is at the forefront of everything we do at the Global Parliament of Mayors. We are stronger and more impactful when we work
together to co-create solutions that improve the lives of our residents and communities.
There is no singular way forward, and the true power of GPM lies in our ability to cross borders, share our unique local experiences, and build
common tools for everyone to use. The most valuable resource we have is you – the Mayor – and it is my hope you are inspired to further engage and
share your success stories with others.
Whether it’s through human rights, climate action, or delivering democracy, your city has a story to tell. I encourage you to reach out, share your
innovations, and lean into the collaborative opportunities of our organization.
One such example you will read more about in this newsletter is the DeCiDE project. This initiative – spearheaded by former Braga Mayor Ricardo Rio,
Ghent Mayor Mathias De Clercq and Chisinau Mayor Ion Ceban – is leading the way in strengthening democracy and human rights at the local level,
proving that city leaders are the most effective guardians of fundamental freedoms.
What makes this work so vital is that it focuses entirely on application – how cities can measure, monitor, and improve the real-life impact of human
rights policies for their residents. By building these tools together, these cities are creating a framework that can be adapted and used across the
globe.

Under the French G7 Presidency in 2026, the G7 Urban7 (U7) has beenformally recognized as an official G7 Engagement Group, strengthening the
role of local and regional governments in global discussions on sustainability, resilience, and democratic governance.
As the level of government where international commitments are put into practice, cities translate global priorities into tangible action. Through the
U7, these local perspectives are now institutionally represented within the G7 process.
An International U7 Mayors’ Summit will be held in Nancy, France, from 2–4 June 2026, ahead of the G7 Leaders’ Summit. Hosted by France Urbaine,
the City of Nancy, the Greater Nancy Metropolitan Authority, and the U7 Secretariat, composed of the Global Parliament of Mayors and ICLEI – Local
Governments for Sustainability. The Summit will advance key priorities of the French Presidency, including ecological transition, social cohesion, and
territorial resilience.
This recognition affirms the growing role of cities as essential partners in shaping global solutions.
This is GPM at its best – mayors working together to create actionable solutions. I look forward to seeing this work develop and to sharing more
examples of mayor-led innovation in the months ahead.

Mayor Bryan K. Barnett
Rochester Hills, Michigan, USA
Chair of the Global Parliament of Mayors