In a continued push to enhance multilevel global cooperation, the Urban7 (U7), represented by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) presented a joint Declaration to Cynthia Termorshuizen, Associate Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Personal Representative of the Prime Minister of Canada for the G7 Summit today at the FCM Annual Conference. In the declaration, local and regional government networks from the G7 countries urge the G7 to recognise cities, towns and regions as vital partners in tackling global issues like climate change, housing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and democratic resilience. 

The declaration, entitled "A Case for Constructive Multilevel Multilateralism," emphasises the importance of participatory, transparent governance across all levels of government and calls for formal inclusion of the U7 as an official G7 engagement group—an essential step toward fostering meaningful dialogue. The handover was organized by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), which holds the 2025 chairmanship of the U7 under Canada’s G7 Presidency amd attended by FCM President Rebecca Bligh who spoke on behalf of the Urban7 networks during the official handover and the Mayor of Kitchener, Berry Vrbanovic.

“Cities are on the frontlines of global change—whether it’s the housing crisis, climate impacts, or technological transformation,” said Rebecca Bligh, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). “With today’s handover of the U7 Mayors’ Declaration, we are making the case that empowering cities and regions through formal engagement in the G7 will lead to better outcomes for people everywhere. Canada’s G7 Presidency is an opportunity to embrace true multilevel collaboration.”

In the joint declaration, U7 network partners emphasise: “We believe in governance that is participatory, transparent, democratic and built on the principles of partnership and mutual respect. By strengthening cooperation across governance levels, we can drive progress towards social equity, economic prosperity, and environmental sustainability.”

Key proposals include empowering cities with resources, enhancing international city-to-city partnerships, and ensuring responsible AI governance, with a special focus on supporting peace and democratic resilience, notably in Ukraine. 

The official handover to the G7 representatives in Canada builds on the momentum from the April 2025, U7 Mayors’ summit in Kobe (Japan), reflecting a unified call from local leaders for deeper integration into global decision-making processes.

For more information about the U7 and ICLEI's role in it, visit: g7u7.org