Xi’an, 17 October 2025 – UCLG-MEWA participated in the UCLG World Council held this week in Xi’an, under the motto “Shaping Communities for Current and Future Generations.” with strong representation from the MEWA Region.
The two-day event gathered over 350 local and regional government leaders from more than 100 cities worldwide to define the organization’s priorities ahead of the 2026 World Congress in Tangier. Organized in parallel with UNIDO’s (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) 10th anniversary “Bridge for Cities” initiative, the Council emphasized the critical role of local and regional governments in driving sustainable development, inclusion, and peace.
The meeting commenced with a joint plenary with UNIDO, attended by the Mayor of The Hague, UCLG President Jan van Zanen, Xi’an Mayor and UCLG Co-President Ye Niuping, and UNIDO Deputy Director General Fatou Haidara. The plenary concluded with the signing of a joint statement to enhance cooperation, technical partnerships, and capacity-building programs. Ye Niuping highlighted how cities are increasingly shaping a new vision of development, grounded in culture, dialogue, and creativity—the foundations for lasting peace.
UCLG-MEWA Secretary General Dr. Mehmet Duman highlighted the crucial role of local governments in fostering inclusive governance, sustainable urban development, and global solidarity, emphasizing their contribution to peace and resilience in the region.
The hig
h-level sessions showcased how cities are transforming challenges such as climate change, pollution, and inequality into opportunities for innovation, green growth, and inclusive governance. Mayors and local leaders, including Uğur İbrahim Altay, Mayor of Konya and UCLG Executive Bureau member, exchanged experiences on sustainable urban development, emphasizing the use of technology to address drought and climate challenges. Sessions also highlighted digital transformation, territorial equity, and people-centered urban policies as tools for resilience and social inclusion.
The UCLG Executive Bureau and statutory sessions focused on advancing the care agenda, feminist municipalism, ecological transition, and preparations for the 2026 World Congress. Co-President Fatimetou Abdel Malick emphasized strengthening women’s representation in local governance and maintaining spaces for elected women to share experiences. Discussions reaffirmed the Local Social Covenant as a central instrument for connecting local action with global development agendas.
Peace and solidarity were central themes throughout the Council. Members expressed support for civilians affected by conflicts and welcomed the ceasefire in Gaza. At the initiative of the Mayor of Konya, and with support from other UCLG leaders, a call for action on peace and solidarity was endorsed, reinforcing UCLG-MEWA’s commitment to
humanitarian concerns and the promotion of local multilateralism.
The Council concluded with the adoption of the 2026 Work Plan, setting the agenda around UCLG’s pillars of People, Planet, and Government, and the handover of the UCLG Presidency to Mayor Lee Jang-Woo of Daejeon. UCLG-MEWA’s participation in Xi’an reaffirmed its role in amplifying the voice of local and regional governments in the Middle East and West Asia, promoting sustainable development, equality, and peace on the international stage.