The Sixth UN Forum of Mayors convened in Geneva on 12–13 October 2026 under the overarching theme “Cities Delivering for a Sustainable Future,” bringing together city leaders, municipal delegations, and international stakeholders to address pressing urban challenges. Organized as a key platform for local-level diplomacy, the forum focused on accelerating progress toward sustainable urban development, fostering resilience against regional crises, advancing climate action, and championing social inclusion.
Addressing the forum, UCLG President and Mayor of Konya Uğur İbrahim Altay emphasized the vital role of local and regional governments in turning global commitments into tangible improvements in people’s daily lives, calling for stronger institutional cooperation between the UN and local authorities, reliable financial resources, and direct access to climate and development finance. Reaffirming that housing is a fundamental human right, Mayor Altay stressed the necessity of affordable, climate-resilient homes alongside protections against forced eviction and displacement, and pledged, as COP31 Special Envoy for Cities and Local Governments, to bring these priorities to Antalya to ensure that urban solutions shape future climate decisions.
Championing green municipal transformation, Mayor of Selçuklu Ahmet Pekyatırmacı presented his municipality’s achievements, sharing that solar energy covered 80% of municipal facilities’ electricity needs in 2025, avoiding over 3,086 tonnes of carbon emissions, while in 2026, 650 environmental volunteers helped plant 9,400 saplings utilizing the water-efficient EcoBox system in drought-prone areas, alongside the TEKNOSEL initiative that empowers youth to solve urban issues through robotics, coding, and artificial intelligence.
Addressing urban infrastructure amid severe regional conflicts, internal displacement, and Lebanon’s economic crisis, Mayor of Saida and President of the Federation of Saida–Zahrani Municipalities Eng. Mustafa Hijazi highlighted sustainable mobility as a priority for safety, inclusion, and economic recovery, proposing an integrated Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan to improve road safety, public transport, and pedestrian accessibility while reconnecting the historic city with its waterfront, inviting UNECE and global partners to support the strategy with technical assistance, data, and funding while reminding attendees that roads should connect communities rather than divide them.
Demonstrating a steadfast commitment to human rights at the side event “Inclusive and Resilient Cities,” Ramallah City Council Member Imad Ibrahim Ayoub Raeah highlighted efforts to advance disability inclusion despite occupation and severe restrictions on movement and access to resources, underscoring the necessity of accessible public spaces, continuity of essential emergency care, and direct participation of persons with disabilities in local decision-making to ensure that dignity, rights, and equal citizenship remain at the heart of urban development across the MEWA region.
Representing the Middle East and West Asia on the global stage, the official delegation of UCLG-MEWA, consisting of Secretary General Dr. Mehmet Duman and General Coordinator Yehia Ibrahim, actively engaged alongside regional mayors to share local solutions and strengthen multilateral cooperation for more inclusive and resilient cities.
