World Cities Day

Founded in 1979, the AIMF is an association (under the law of 1901) which has evolved to reflect changes in the political leadership and activities of local authorities. It is a welcoming space of exchange and solidarity for Mayors of francophone cities that has developed alongside city environments and international solidarity between cities . In 2021 the AIMF had 305 members in 54 countries.  More about the International Association of Francophone Mayors.

WeGO’s vision is to create cities that ensure enduring economic, social, and environmental sustainability by exploiting the power of digital technologies, engaging city leaders and communities, integrating across sectors and disciplines, and accessing investment for smart sustainable city development in order to improve the efficiency of urban operations and services, quality of life, and economic prosperity and services for city communities. WeGO serves for its members as their international platform to improve the quality of life, innovate in the delivery of public services, and strengthen regional competitiveness. The World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization ( WeGO ) is a membership-based international association of local governments, corporations, and institutions committed to transforming cities into smart sustainable cities. Cities that ensure enduring economic, social, and environmental sustainability by: • exploiting the power of digital technologies • engaging city lead...

Women Transforming Cities works to dismantle intersecting systems of oppression and promote genders and movements that are equitable, in order to transform where we live into places where everyone can belong, participate, and have social, economic, and political equity. In the community, we work with equity-deserving communities, front-line organizations, labour groups, and movements to… Build civic skills and power of those who have been historically excluded from local government processes. Deliver training on intersectional feminism, community organizing, engagement, grassroots campaigning, and understanding local government. Organize and advocate for more equitable policies, programs, and systems at a local level. Develop resources to support civic engagement, democratic participation, and local advocacy. At the systems level, we work with local government decision-makers to… Amplify the priorities of equity-deserving communities at city halls. Challenge policies and decisions tha...

  The environments in our cities and communities are critical for supporting and maintaining health in older age. The WHO Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities helps cities and communities to achieve this aim – by showing what can be done and how it can be done, connecting cities and communities worldwide to facilitate the exchange of information, knowledge, and experience; and supporting cities and communities to find appropriate innovative and evidence-based solutions. The Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC) was established by the World Health Organization in 2010 to connect cities, communities and organizations worldwide with the common vision of making their communities great places to grow older in. Its 1300 members are from 51 countries. This report reviews the development of the Network over the last decade, celebrates the achievements to date, and outlines strategic shifts for the next decade. These new directions will help en...

The  WHO GLOBAL CITY NETWORK  is part of WHO’s Global Strategic Preparedness Network (GSPN) and helps countries to prepare for national health emergencies such as COVID-19. Through the Strategic Partnership Portal (SPH) , set up in 2015), member States, donors and partners share information on efforts to invest in health security. GCN is managed by the Multisectoral Engagement for IHR and Health Security (MHS) , a unit of WHO’s World Preparedness Emergency programme.

  Of the 45 city health profiles submitted to the WHO European Healthy Cities Network in 2005, 35 used all 500 indicators of inequality.  The WHO European Healthy Cities Network is a network of flagship cities and national networks of cities. Flagship cities interact directly with WHO/Europe, while national networks bring together cities in a given Member State. In both cases WHO provides political, strategic and technical support as well as capacity building What is a healthy city? A healthy city is defined by a process, not an outcome. A healthy city is not one that has achieved a particular health status. It is conscious of health and striving to improve it. Thus any city can be a healthy city, regardless of its current health status. The requirements are: a commitment to health and a process and structure to achieve it. A healthy city is one that continually creates and improves its physical and social environments and expands the community resources that enable people to...

The  UNITED CITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMEN TS  (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 committe...

  Open & Agile Smart Cities ( OASC ) is a non-profit organization whose members are cities and communities around the world. Its ambition is to leverage technology to improve the quality of life of citizens. Currently, 155 cities are members, in 31 countries from Argentina to Finland and Japan. The OASC focus on interoperability (technical, semantic, organisational and legal). This facilitates seamless sharing and re-use of digital, data-driven solutions and helps to avoid vendor lock-in, to reduce costs and resources, improve the efficiency and the ability to use technology to solve local and global societal challenges .The OASC offer Advocacy, Access to projects, Knowledge sharing, Capacity building, Tech tools, Member support. Join us in boosting cooperating and connecting communities.

11 Million tonnes of plastic waste enters the ocean every year. Urban Ocean® is a capacity-building and accelerator program to end ocean plastic pollution and build more resilient communities in cities. The Resilient Cities Network is a leading urban resilience network. It brings together global knowledge, practice, partnerships and funding to empower its members to build safe and equitable cities for all. Learn more about the  URBAN OCEAN – RESILIENT CITIES NETWORK

The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) is an international policy-oriented network that provides inspiration and disseminates know-how and best practice. The network brings together local communities from all world regions that are committed to the implementation of lifelong learning.  Building a learning city  is a collective and continuing journey. It requires a concrete action plan with strong political leadership and steadfast commitment; participation and involvement of all stakeholders; diverse celebratory events charged with enthusiasm and inspirations; easy accessibility and enjoyable experiences for all citizens; a proper monitoring and evaluation of progress; and sustainable and secure funding. You can find detailed instructions on these action tips in our Guidelines for Building Learning Cities .

The UCCN is UNESCO’s flagship city programme , established in 2004. Its members include 246 cities from more than eighty member States. UCCN brings together cities that have identified culture and creativity as strategic agents in building the sustainable cities of tomorrow, contributing to achievement of the SDGs. Learn more about the  UNESCO CREATIVE CITIES NETWORK

Cities are on the frontline, playing an essential role in not only ensuring communities are protected from public health and environmental threats, but also improving well-being and enabling city dwellers to thrive in the face of multiple hazards. We have witnessed that cities with well-built resilience teams and strategies have been able to respond effectively to the pandemic recovery efforts. Good governance and urban planning are paramount to conducting reliable risk assessments and developing strategies that enhance city resilience. R-Cities partners with cities, helping them to become more resilient to the physical, social and economic challenges that are a growing part of the 21st century. The organization takes a view of resilience that includes not just the shocks—earthquakes, disease outbreaks, floods—but also the stresses that weaken the fabric of a city on a day to day or cyclical basis. We ensure cities are strong in a world where things go wrong. They engage through Chief...

PLATFORMA  is a pan-European coalition of towns and regions active in decentralized cooperation. Its 29 partners represent towns and regions and their national associations as well as European and global networks that are active in city-to-city and region-to region development cooperation. All members cooperate internationally to promote sustainable development. The secretariat of PLATFORMA is hosted by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) .

Regions4 catalyses regional government leadership, mobilizes resources, advocates for increased recognition, and channels regions’ voices in the main United Nations fora on biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable development.  REGIONS4 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The Partnership for Healthy Cities is a collaboration between Bloomberg Philanthropies, the World Health Organization , and Vital Strategies . It is a technical network. Cities can only join by invitation but no membership fees are required.  PARTNERSHIP FOR HEALTHY CITIES

The ICORN is an independent, international membership organization whose members include 84 cities across Europe and the Americas. The majority are in Scandinavia, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, France and the USA.

The Human Rights Cities Network is a not-for-profit organisation (association sans but lucratif). We invite European cities that are committed to respecting, protecting and promoting a culture of human rights to become ‘guest members’.

The world’s big cities offer a high quality of life for their inhabitants—fostering economic development, sustainability, social cohesion and gender equality.  Metropolis serves as a global hub where metropolises can connect, share solutions and mobilize on issues related to sustainability, social cohesion, metropolitan governance, future planning and gender equality .  Currently, Metropolis has 141 members worldwide. Any public authority with territorial jurisdiction or any institution or body that represents a metropolis may become a member of the association, whatever its local government system. Learn more about the  World Association of the Major Metropolises  ( METROPOLIS )

Created by mayors for mayors, we are guided by a Leadership Board of global city leaders, including the mayors of Amman, Bristol, Dhaka North, Freetown, Kampala, Milan, Montevideo, Montréal, and Zürich, but work with a coalition of more than 200 cities worldwide. Distinct from other city networks that have strict membership requirements, the  MAYORS MIGRATION COUNCIL  (MMC) is an open resource for mayors from cities of all sizes, geographies, and income levels. Unlock financial and technical resources to implement city-led solutions. About City Practice Influence policy decisions at the national and international level. About City Diplomacy

Today, Leading Cities works with a global network of over 15,000 cities, connecting local governments with the solutions, partnerships, and resources they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world . But, Leading Cities began with a global vision and local roots. Founded through a collaboration between forward-thinking cities—Dublin, Boston, Barcelona, Rio de Janeiro, Lyon, Hamburg, Lisbon, Zapopan, Vancouver, and Haifa—Leading Cities was built on the belief that the challenges we face as a planet will be solved in the places we live: our cities. Originally established in 2008 at Northeastern University, Leading Cities evolved from a research initiative into an independent nonprofit, expanding its mission to drive sustainability, resilience, and innovation in local governments worldwide . Today, we support a global network of cities, startups, investors, non-profits and corporate partners, working together to accelerate impact where it matters most.   Leading Cities is a global n...