ICLEI, the Association of German Cities, and the Global Parliament of Mayors have formed a strong urban alliance to accompany the German G7 Presidency. This alliance of urban leaders continues a so-called “G7 Urban7” (U7) process, and is thus aptly referred to as the “U7”. This March, the U7 alliance convened its first technical meeting to ensure that work progresses and grows.

At the beginning of 2022, the German G7 Presidency outlined its five priorities under the titles: sustainable planet, economic stability, healthy lives, investment in a better future, and stronger together. Its Policy Priorities document, which expands upon these five priorities, contains unprecedented reference to cities and to urbanisation. This clearly speaks to the huge potential impact of bringing local leaders into G7 processes.

In response, the U7 alliance is poised and ready to directly feed into the G7's priorities and work.

As Markus Lewe, Mayor of ICLEI Member Münster (Germany) and President of the Association of German Cities expressed, “Cities are at the forefront when solutions to global challenges are needed. We stand up for freedom, democracy and human rights. We join forces in international networks and cooperation on implementing climate and sustainability goals. The German G7 Presidency has recognised the transformative power of cities. It is time that the urban perspective is permanently taken into consideration. The Urban7 are ready to make our contribution.”

ICLEI Europe and other stakeholders to the U7 recognise the importance of harnessing the power of cities for lasting environmental change, to develop creative and effective global solutions in response to the challenges of our times, and to create meaningful dialogue from the bottom-up.

These central tenets will be at the core of all of the U7’s work, including an upcoming Mayors Summit taking place in May 2022, and in interactions with (and support to) G7 Ministerial Engagement and other Engagement Groups.

The U7 is furthermore prepared to engage with relevant non-G7 processes, such as those around the next World Urban Forum taking place in ICLEI Member Katowice (Poland), the Urban20 process that runs parallel to the G20, and the upcoming COP27 climate negotiations.

Stay tuned: the U7 alliance will be active throughout the German G7 Presidency, including releasing important declarations, calls and proposals.