United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) represents and defends the interests of local governments on the world stage, regardless of the size of the communities they serve. Headquartered in Barcelona, the organisation’s stated mission is: To be the united voice and world advocate of democratic local self-government, promoting its values, objectives and interests, through cooperation between local governments, and within the wider international community.

What do we do?

United Cities and Local Governments is committed to promoting, through the action of its members, a just and sustainable society based on solidarity, local democracy, autonomy and decentralisation in the general defence of citizens.  

Objectives:

• Strengthen the formal role of local governments as one of the pillars of the international decision making system;
• Stimulate local action promoting development;
• Promote strong and effective local, regional governments and national associations of local governments;
• Promote innovation in local governance. 

A targeted work programme

UCLG’s work programme focuses on: - Increasing the role and influence of local government and its representative organisations in global governance; - Becoming the main source of support for democratic, effective, innovative local government close to the citizen; - Ensuring an effective and democratic global organisation. United Cities and Local Governments supports international cooperation between cities and their associations, and facilitates programmes, networks and partnerships to build the capacity of local governments. It promotes the role of women in local decision-making, and is a gateway to relevant information on local government across the world.

Visit: WWW.UCLG.ORG

• Members of United Cities and Local Governments represent over half of the world’s population
• UCLG is present in 155 of the 192 United Nation member states, representing both cities and local government associations
• Over 1,000 cities and 112 national associations are direct members of UCLG. 
• All members of UCLG and our partners meet every three years on the occasion of the UCLG Congress, also the Summit of Local and Regional Leaders. 
• Europe boasts the largest number of LGAs, which represent around 80 per 100 of the total European population.

The Committees and Working Groups regularly bring together local elected representatives and experts from all over the globe to share experiences, debate and innovate on diverse issues: 

• Decentralisation and Local Autonomy 
• Local Finance and Development 
• Culture
• Development Cooperation and City Diplomacy 
• Social Inclusion, Participatory Democracy and Human Rights
• Gender Equality 
• Urban Health 
• Mediterranean 
• Peripheral Cities 
• Urban Mobility 
• Digital Cities and Knowledge 
• Urban Planning 
• Institutional Strengthening 
• Migration and Co-development 
• Sustainable and Solidary tourism 
• Local Economic Development 
• Cooperation in the Middle East

To become a member, please visit: UCLG webpage