100 DAYS, TEN YEARS, AND WHAT COMES NEXT
The second day of the @uclg_org 2026 Retreat was framed around “100 Days of Local Multilateralism”. On social media, however, the discussions went much further than that.
On X (formerly Twitter), Retreat participants reflected on the rapid evolution of global governance systems. And since this section is about their voices, the best way to describe it is to quote them: “Multilateralism is being redefined in real time.” The moment has been described as “a turning point for the municipal movement,” linking the 100-day process to a broader positioning ahead of the High-Level Political Forum.
Ten years after the adoption of the New Urban Agenda, the anniversary is both a celebration and an exercise in reflection. “From principles to accountability”: cities are becoming increasingly involved in monitoring and reporting frameworks, rather than simply endorsing global texts. In this rapidly shifting landscape, local governments must navigate a policy environment that is more crowded and fragmented than ever. But this complexity does not diminish the role of cities; rather, it reinforces it. “Local voices are no longer complementary. They are necessary.”
If the Sustainable Development Goals provided a common compass for the last decade, what framework (political, institutional, or narrative) will guide the next?
Several tweets provide answers. Some have spoken of reform, others of renewal, and still others of more profound structural changes in the global system. “The future is open, and local governments intend to shape it.” But for once there is consensus on X; the need for a common municipal voice in international negotiations. “Coordination is political capital”; local and regional governments can align their messages without losing territorial diversity.
As the feed filled with reflections, quotes, and pictures, one message stood out for its conciseness: “Local is global, and the clock doesn’t stop.” With two days still to go, it’s clear that the conversation is far from over. But if today’s posts are any indication, the municipal movement isn’t waiting for the future to arrive — it’s already drafting it.