Cities are Listening.

The UNITED CITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS (UCLG) is the product of a century-old collaborative movement of local and regional governments. It is the voice of democratic local self-government and, with 250,000 members in over 140 States, it represents 70% of the world’s population through local and regional governments in seven world regions. The major global development agendas can only be achieved if they are integrated in all planning, policymaking, and action. Global solutions need to build on local experiences to ensure a future for our communities. This is localization: the achievement of global agendas from the bottom-up. It is the cornerstone of their strategy. They strive to strengthen and secure a seat at the global table for local and regional governments, to ensure not just that local perspectives and points of view play a part in how universal development agendas are implemented, but that local perspectives are considered from the start. They are committed to the realization and renewal of local democracy, empowering local and regional governments to play their role in the future of humanity. Only if we equip local governments with the powers and resources they need will we be able to guarantee that the basic services they provide are delivered.