In a world marked by growing fragmentation, uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, local and regional governments continue to demonstrate that local democracy is at the heart of action. At the UCLG Congress and World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders in Tangier, local and regional governments will showcase how territories are strengthening alliances, fostering dialogue across borders and translating global commitments into local action.
When rights remain out of reach, when services are weakened, when care is invisible and when inequalities are reproduced, local democracy must deliver. Democracy, equality and peace are built from the territories, a central message that will resonate along the program of the UCLG Congress.
See the thematic agenda:
Monday 22 June
13:00 – 14:30 | Dialogue Strengthening Alliances with Local Public Service Workers
This session highlights the role of social dialogue and public services as pillars of democratic governance and rights-based delivery.
15:00 – 16:30 | Annual Meeting of the Capacity and Institution Building (CIB) Working Group From Action Paper to Action: Evolving Local Government Development Cooperation
The meeting brings together partners committed to strengthening local governance capacities worldwide through decentralized cooperation and peer learning.
Tuesday 23 June
11:00 – 12:30 | Violence Prevention in Practice: Showcasing Global Innovation at the Subnational Level
This session will present local experiences that place prevention, inclusion and community resilience at the center of public action.
13:00 – 14:30 | Enhancing Peace Through Local Action and Global Exchange
Peace and dialogue will remain at the center of discussions through the session, which will highlight how local governments contribute to conflict prevention, mediation and social cohesion.
14:30 – 15:00 | Launch of the knowledge partnership Local Multilateralism and Paradiplomacy in a Time of Change,
Bringing together voices from five continents the joint publication by UCLG and TIP Journal will further explore how local and regional governments are reshaping international relations through territorial cooperation, diplomacy and knowledge exchange.
Wednesday 24 June
9:00 – 13:30 | Cities in Crisis: Local Action for a Paradigm Shift
A session to examine how territories can move from reactive responses to prevention, resilience and rights-based approaches to crises.
11:00 – 11:30 | How Do EU Delegations Work with Local and Regional Governments under the NDICI-Global Europe and the Global Gateway
In this session participants will also explore how European Union delegations engage with local and regional governments under the NDICI-Global Europe and Global Gateway frameworks, highlighting opportunities to strengthen multilevel partnerships for sustainable development.
13:00 – 13:30 | District 11: Barcelona’s Cooperation with Palestinian Cities
Concrete examples of decentralized cooperation will be showcased in this session illustrating how local governments mobilize solidarity and maintain international partnerships even in the most challenging contexts.
14:30 – 16:00 | Localizing Means Transforming: The Role of Local and Regional Governments in Advancing the Global Agendas
This roundtable will explore how territories are driving the implementation of international commitments through democratic participation, territorial justice and co-responsibility across all spheres of government.
Thursday 25 June
12:00 – 13:30 | Culture-Powered Development: Practice and Promise
This dialogue will close this thematic journey by reaffirming culture as a public good, a democratic right and a fundamental dimension of sustainable development.
The final day of the Congress will look at internationalization as a driver of territorial development, with regional and intermediate governments sharing experiences on how global engagement can generate local opportunities, strengthen institutions and foster innovation.
Together, these sessions demonstrate how local and regional governments are advancing a renewed vision of multilateralism: one grounded in proximity, solidarity and shared responsibility. Through city diplomacy, decentralized cooperation, peacebuilding and collective action, territories are showing that the future of global governance will be built through the everyday work of communities and institutions closest to people.
From Tangier, local and regional leaders around the world will reaffirm that multilateralism must deliver where life happens: in cities, regions and territories.
Further information
- See the agenda of the sessions
- Check out the overall program