CONNECTING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO STATE-LED MIGRATION FORA
The Mayors Mechanism was established in 2018 to formally link local and regional governments (LRGs) to the state-led Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD), alongside civil society, the private sector and youth.
In 2021, the partnership scaled to also follow the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) and the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR).
The Mechanism creates opportunities for LRGs to influence State-led discussions and establishes a platform to interact with States, the United Nations, civil society and the private sector.
The Mayors Mechanism:
Brings LRG expertise to State-led discussions
Advocates for improved policy coherence on migration and forced displacement issues
Maximises opportunities for innovative and direct partnerships with LRGs
The Mayors Mechanism is jointly steered by United Cities and Local Governments, the Mayors Migration Council, and the International Organization for Migration.
Learn more about our history, Steering Committee and constituency here.
Updates
Call to Local Action for Migrants and Refugees
In 2018, with the adoption of the Marrakech Mayors Declaration, LRGs pledged to implement the GCM and GCR in unison, as concrete pathways to achieve Agenda2030. To elevate this political commitment, Mayors Mechanism Steering Committee Members — in partnership with the UN Refugee Agency, launched a Call to Local Action for Migrants and Refugees in 2022.
Recognised by the UN Secretary General in his GCM 2021 Report, the Call offers a concrete avenue for LRGs to localise the both Compacts and for LRGs to be recognised for meeting global goals.
Piloted in 2019, launched in May 2022 at the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) and scaled at the 2023 Global Refugee Forum and 2024 GFMD Summit, the Call so far mobilised over 120 actions and pledges.
Read more about Call to Local Action and how you can join here.
The GFMD Mayors Mechanism is co-steered by:
