United Cities and Local Governments The international voice of local government DPWG-LGD Brussels 18 June 2011 Edgardo Bilsky- UCLG –

2004 founding of UCLG (Unification of FMCU and IULA) o More than 500 direct members o Local government association of 140 states (out of 192 UN) o 8 regional sections Africa Asia Pacific Europe Euro-Asia Latin America Middle East West Asia Metropolis North America

Objectives UCLG o Increase the role and influence of local governments and their representative organizations o Be the main resource of support to local democratic governments, efficient and innovative and close to citizens o Support city to city cooperation and solidarity between local governments o Ensure to be an efficient and democratic World organization

UCLG Presidency  President: Kadir Topbas, Mayor of Istanbul  Copresidents: Antonio Costa, Mayor of Lisbon (Portugal) Johnny Araya, Mayor of San José (Costa Rica) Muchadeyi Masunda, Mayor of Harare (Zimbabwe) Ilsur Metshin Mayor of Kazan (Russia) Wan Qingliang, Mayor of Guangzhou (China)  Tresarurer: Ted Ellis, Mayor of Bluffon (USA)  Interim Manager: Clarence Anthony (USA)

UCLG Governing Bodies  Executive Bureau: 130 mayors, presidents and elected officers (meets 2 /year)  World Council: 357 mayors, presidents and elected officers (meets 1/year)  General Assembly: all members – appoints the World Council  World Local and Regional Leaders World Summit – UCLG World Congress: every three years

6/ Main activities o Advocacy & Mobilization of local authorities to contribute to the development policies o MDGs – UCLG World Campaign on millennium towns and cities o Climate change: World mayors and local governments climate protection agreement & LG Climate Change Leadership Summit o Aid effectiveness: UCLG position paper on Aid effectiveness o Peace : Hague Agenda for city diplomacy; UCLG member of the Alliance of Civilizations o Global policy position on strategic planning, local finance, social inclusion o Culture: Local Agenda 21 for Culture o Water: Istanbul Water Consensus of Local Governments o Beijing + 10 review that women participation has increased in local decision o AIDS: World campaign - Stop Aids ! Make the promise o World source of information on local governments o Solidarity and exchange of experience between local governments

7/ o 2004: Founding Congress in Paris o 2005: Representation of LGs in UNACLA & in the UN Habitat administrative council as observers o 2005: Declaration heads of state and governments Millennium summit + 5 – Reference to Local Governments o 2006/07/08: Agreements with several UN agencies, UNESCO and WB Institute o 2007: Adoption Guidelines on decentralization and strengthening of local authorities o 2008 : EU resolution on “the role of local governments in international development cooperation” Cities Alliance: UCLG chairs the Executive Committee for 3 years o 2009 : Adoption of Guidelines on access to public service with UN Habitat Local authorities included in Accra Agenda for Action Advocacy: representation of Local governments

8/ UCLG world source of Information and technical exchange GOLD - Global Report on Decentralization and Local Democracy o 2008: GOLDI Report  presents the global situation of LG in the world o 2011: GOLDII Report  focuses on local finances o [2014: GOLDIII Report  focuses on basic services] Indicators of Local Government and Decentralization (ILGD) o Currently under development - first pilot trials UCLG programs to strengthen networks and local governments o City development Strategies “City Future” ( with Cities Alliance) o Local Finance ( with Cities Alliance) o Supporting decentralization in developing countries (with EU) o Disaster Risk Reduction (with UNSDR) o Institutional Capacity Building

9/ City Leadership: supporting local governments networks o 15 committees and working groups led by local governments : more than 500 cities and local governments actives in networks Social inclusion Urban mobility Culture City diplomaty Urban planning Decentralization and local-self government Local finances Mediterranean Interregional Development cooperation Information society Alliance of civilizations Peripheral cities Migration & codevelopment Capacity Institutional Building Gender equality

10/ Thank you Web: GOLD Web: