Multilateral city diplomacy in crisis situations improving multilevel governance

In the new definition of international relations, city networks and the actions of local elected officials are essential. City diplomacy, which serves as leverage in international policies, must be recognized and integrated, not as a simple relay for centralized strategies, but as a role in its own right in management of cooperation policies. From the post-war twinnings to current cooperation, the link between local elected officials is crucial in order to provide concrete solutions to crises the world must face. It is imperative to establish an efficient global governance system rooted in inclusive multilateralism. As cities are projected to accommodate two-thirds of global population by 2050, it becomes paramount for local and regional governments (LRG) to spearhead development efforts. The World Urban Forum (WUF) holds a pivotal role in inspiring multilateral fora to integrate LRGs into forward-thinking global decision-making processes.
Cities are places where conflicts emerge, particularly during civil wars, and in contexts of weakening of the state institution. At the same time cities remain spaces of refuge for displaced populations, that might fuel an anarchic growth in peri-urban areas, precarious housing and camps, and gives rise to specific management issues. New conflicts have plunged Europe and the Middle East into a new situation of tension and lasting war. How do local authorities cope with these crisis contexts and what are the survival mechanisms of populations in cities affected by conflicts? How are “target cities” and “refuge cities” forced to reorganize in the face of war? The example of Gaza is a symbolic reminder of the complexity of all these problems.
The report of the High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement and the UN Secretary-General's Program of Action on Internal Displacement fully recognized the key role of LRGs in finding solutions on their scale. Local communities and authorities have the responsibility to find solutions for developing collective strategies for the security, dignity and humanity of all citizens. Urban planning is recognized as being crucial for the integration of displaced populations into development strategies. In many of these cases, local authorities have responded by organizing themselves or with other levels of government, partners, to provide access to housing, transportation, information, education and professional opportunities, but also to mobilize humanitarian aid and political support for the affected territories.
Cités Unies France leads the collaboration among LRGs engaged in international action. The initiatives of the municipal movement brought together within UCLG and the Global Task Force bear witness to the activism of cities to implement innovative and adapted practices and balanced narratives on migrant and displaced populations and human mobility around the world. Global Cities Hub connects LRGs and their networks to International Organizations, including UNHCR and IOM.