Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Zambia are among the speakers at the 5th UN Forum of Mayors, taking place in October in Switzerland.
City leaders from around the world will gather in October in Switzerland, with several representatives from Africa among the speakers. The 5th UN Forum of Mayors will be held on 6–7 October 2025 at the iconic Palais des Nations in Geneva (land.unece.org).
The initiative, organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) with support from the Global Cities Hub (GCH), provides a unique space for dialogue, bringing together mayors and municipal representatives from across the globe to discuss global challenges and present strategic local solutions.
The central theme of this edition is “Cities Shaping the Future,” with a focus on three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): health and well-being (SDG 3), gender equality (SDG 5), and decent work and economic growth (SDG 8). Discussions will also cover climate financing mechanisms, voluntary local reviews (VLRs), and housing challenges. The forum positions itself as a high-level political platform for cities, allowing municipal leaders to examine the same topics debated at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York, held in July 2025.
There will also be a dedicated event on VLRs, organized by the Global Cities Hub, and a special session under the World Economic Forum to promote public-private partnerships and urban innovation. On 8 October 2025, immediately before the ministerial meeting on Affordable and Sustainable Housing, mayors will have the opportunity to present their perspectives at the UNECE ministerial session, running from 8–10 October.
Strengthened Cooperation, Aligned Agendas
In April 2025, the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) and the UNECE signed a memorandum of understanding, reinforcing cooperation and consolidating the Forum as an inclusive multilateral space, ensuring greater representation of municipalities in global governance.
Created in 2020, the Forum became a UN body, subsidiary to the Committee on Urban Development, Housing, and Land Management (CUDHLM). This institutionalization highlights the need to align policies and actions across local, regional, and global levels to achieve the 2030 Agenda. This more inclusive multilateral governance model is considered a significant step forward, enabling municipal leaders to share experiences and best practices, draft recommendations, participate in inter-regional meetings, and have an active voice in international debates on urban sustainability.
Mozambique’s Challenges
The 5th Forum of Mayors represents a strategic platform to affirm the central role of local governments in building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable cities, with a direct impact on achieving the SDGs and promoting more participatory, community-focused global governance. Mozambique faces several challenges in this regard:
- Insufficient infrastructure: Many Mozambican cities face severe deficits in sanitation, water supply, mobility, and waste management, hindering the creation of safe and functional urban spaces.
- Unplanned urban growth: Rapid expansion of outskirts, often without proper planning, generates informal settlements with low-quality housing and limited access to basic services.
- Limited institutional capacity: Municipalities frequently lack sufficient technical and human resources, compromising the effective implementation of public policies and sustainable urban development projects.
- Incomplete decentralization: Despite legislative progress, the transfer of powers and financial resources to municipalities remains partial, limiting local autonomy and the ability to respond to community needs.
Source: Economia & Mercado
