Recognizing, engaging and resourcing local governments

ICLEI seeks to build an international policy environment that strengthens local governments and supports local sustainability. Through our advocacy, we have helped reshape the global sustainability landscape where cities and local governments are recognized, engaged and resourced.

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United Nations General Assembly-driven processes

ICLEI has a special consultative status at the Economical and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 2002.

Through its role as Organizing Partner (OP) of Local Authorities Major Group (LAMG), ICLEI has actively contributed in global efforts on sustainable development, since the adoption of Agenda 21 in 1992.

ICLEI closely monitors and engages as appropriate in the outcomes of the Rio+20 process in 2012, by building upon the momentum created at the Rio+20 Global Town Hall.

ICLEI at Rio+20
Local government leaders unite to tackle sustainability.
ICLEI at UN Meetings
Former ICLEI President David Cadman urges the global
sustainability community to recognize the role of
cities in sustainable development.

ICLEI at Rio+20
Local government leaders unite to tackle sustainability.

UN Agencies and Intergovernmental Organizations

ICLEI signed Memorandum of Understandings with a number of UN Bodies, including UNEP, UNHabitat, UN ISDR that enable partnerships and participation of ICLEI delegation at respective Governing Council meetings and other technical sessions at various levels.

ICLEI is the longlasting member of the UNEP Major Groups Facilitating Committee since 2000.

Multilateral Environmental
Agreements

ICLEI is the only local government network that is accredited as observer at the three Rio Conventions, namely UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), UN Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) and UN Convention on Desertification (UNCCD). ICLEI actively participates in the negotiation and implementation of issues under these Conventions.

At the UNFCCC level, ICLEI acts as the focal point of local governments and municipal authorities constituency (LGMA).

At the CBD level, ICLEI is a leading partner of the Global Partnership on Local and Subnational Action for Biodiversity, and signed an MoU with the CBD Secretariat.

Local Climate Action Moves the World
More than 200 Mayors have signed the Mexico City
Pact encapsulating their commitment to measurable,
reportable and verifiable climate action
Mayors Act on Climate Adaptation
Around 100 Mayors have signed the Durban Adaptation Charter, strengthening local efforts to adapting to global climate change.
ICLEI and Biodiversity
At the recent Cities for Life Summit held in Hyderabad, India, more than 300 local leaders pushed for
biodiversity to be on the global agenda

Local Climate Action Moves the World
More than 200 Mayors have signed the Mexico City
Pact encapsulating their commitment to measurable,
reportable and verifiable climate action