6th World Forum on Local Economic Development (WFLED) and the UCLG Executive Bureau were held in Seville on April 1-4, 2025, bringing together global leaders, city representatives, and international organizations to champion local solutions for sustainable and inclusive growth.
Hosted by the Andalucian Fund of Municipalities for International Solidarity (FAMSI) and co-organized by UNDP, ILO, and UCLG World Organization, the forum served as a critical platform for dialogue ahead of the upcoming Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), also to be held in Seville.
The local leaders from MEWA Region showed a significant presence, including Ahmet Akın, UCLG Vice President and Mayor of Balıkesir, and Jamal Abu Obeid, Mayor of Bani Obeid, besides representatives from Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (UMT). The MEWA Secretariat delegation was led by Secretary General Dr. Mehmet Duman.
On April 1, the UCLG Financial Management Committee and Committee on Statutory Affairs were held to discuss the institutional priorities, financial sustainability, and governance mechanisms. As a committed regional section of UCLG, UCLG-MEWA emphasized the importance of transparent financial governance and inclusive statutory frameworks that reflect the evolving needs of local governments, especially those in the MEWA region.
UCLG Executive Bureau Business Session held on April 2 convened global leaders and partners to deliberate on key political, strategic, and policy directions. The session served as a pivotal moment to align the movement’s priorities with global agendas, including the localization of the SDGs, financing for development, and municipal diplomacy.
UCLG-MEWA and the UN-Habitat Syria Office co-organized a panel discussion on “Territories in Conflict: LED as a Peacebuilding Mechanism” on April 3. This panel explored the crucial role of Local Economic Development (LED) in urban recovery processes in challenging contexts like Syria and Palestine.
Dr. Duman opened the session, followed by presentations detailing recovery efforts, such as Layal Jabbour’s account of Homs, Syria. Süeda Aslan, Research Officer at UCLG-MEWA, provided a regional perspective, outlining the complexities of implementing LED amidst conflict, occupation, and related energy and environmental challenges. Issa Kassis, Mayor of Ramallah, Palestine, shared powerful stories of resilience and local economic success despite facing harsh conditions, offering a message of hope and productivity from his community. Vicky Leung, Technical Specialist – International Labour Organisation (ILO), addressed the topic from the ILO’s perspective with reference to the working conditions and labor force. Nice Diogo Correia, Director of Planning and Finance – Government of Cabo Delgado Province, Mozambique, outlined Cabo Delgado’s strategic development plan, focusing on monetary response, construction, and economic development, emphasizing local education and training as foundational to their structured approach to regional recovery.
The forum concluded with a strong call for continued collaboration and a clear invitation for participants to carry the momentum forward to the FFD4 conference. The insights and alliances forged at the 6th WFLED aim to strengthen local policies worldwide, driving equitable, sustainable development that directly benefits communities on the ground. Besides, several cultural activities were organized by the hosts, including visits to Seville’s historic center, Catedral de Sevilla, and the iconic Real Alcázar, reinforcing solidarity and informal dialogue among participants.