Where the municipal movement finds its common voice
Away from the public debates, the Assembly Track has brought together the different regional sections of the World Organization to define the political priorities they will present to the World Council. Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eurasia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and West Asia, and North America have each held their own assemblies to debate regional challenges while identifying the common positions that will shape UCLG’s next mandate.
These meetings are where the diversity of the municipal movement becomes visible. Although priorities differ across regions—from climate resilience and financing to decentralisation, territorial cohesion or democratic governance — the assemblies all share the same objective: ensuring that regional realities inform the global agenda and that local and regional governments speak with a stronger collective voice.
Alongside the regional assemblies, two strategic forums looked beyond geography to examine how territories themselves are changing.
The Forum of Intermediate Cities, chaired by Mohamed Sefiani, Mayor of Chefchaouen, reinforced the political visibility of intermediary cities as essential connectors between metropolitan, regional and rural areas. Building on the Cuenca Declaration and preparing a 2026–2030 Roadmap, participants explored how these cities can drive territorial cohesion, innovation, climate action, public service delivery and access to finance, while translating global agendas into practical local action.
The Forum of Regions, chaired by Paola Pabón, Prefect of Pichincha, launched its own strategic reflection for 2026–2030. Anchored in the Local Social Covenant, the discussion reaffirmed regions as indispensable actors linking national strategies with local implementation. Speakers highlighted the growing importance of regional economic diplomacy, territorial intelligence, polycentric development and multilevel governance in responding to increasingly complex social, economic and environmental challenges.