Our Governance Structure
The Mayors Mechanism Steering Committee is its principal decision making body and sets the overall strategy for the Mayors Mechanism. The three Steering Committee members mobilise the necessary resources for implementing its activities.
It consists of:
The largest, membership-based network of local and regional governments and the coordinator of the Global Task Force of Local and Regional Governments.
A mayors-led initiative that empowers and enables cities with access, capacity, knowledge and connections to engage in migration diplomacy and policymaking at the international, regional and national level.
The leading international organization in the field of migration and also the coordinator of the inter-agency UN Network on Migration.
“As the level of government that welcomes migrants as neighbours, local governments are not mere implementers and want a seat at the decision-making table. The GFMD Mayors Mechanism is a powerful lever towards meaningful multi-stakeholder dialogue and partnerships to ensure the Right to the City for all".
Emilia Sáiz, Secretary General of United Cities and Local Governments
“Cities are laboratories where solutions to the most pressing migration challenges of our era are being tested. Connecting cities directly with States, the GFMD Mayors Mechanism is incentivising bolder, faster global action on migration.”
Vittoria Zanuso, Executive Director of the Mayors Migration Council
“ Local and regional governments play an undeniable role in meeting the challenges of the future. In my new role as Director General, I’m committed to building a UN Migration Agency that works hand-in-hand with local governments to serve migrants. From addressing the impact of climate change on human mobility to building job opportunities and pathways, cities are critical partners in action.”
Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration
Our Team
Coordinator
Sophie van Haasen, the Mechanism Coordinator, ensures the strategic and practical implementation of the Mechanisms’ activities. She is the principal liaison with the GFMD Governance Structures, as well as with the UN Network on Migration Secretariat and UNHCR. Contact: svanhaasen@mayorsmechanism.org
Knowledge Management and Communication Officer
Albert Lladó Romero, the Mechanism’s Knowledge Management and Communications Officer supports the Coordinator and partners with the practical roll out of the forthcoming Call to Local Action for Migrants and Refugees, and is the go-to point for questions related to communications and capacity building activities. Contact: allado@mayorsmechanism.org
Intern
Yuke Cheng, the Mechanism’s intern supporting the Coordinator with the operation, logistics and administration of the Mechanism, as well as transferring Call to Local Action for Migrants and Refugees to UN Network on Migration and the UNHCR database. Contact: ycheng@iom.int
Mayors Mechanism Steering Committee Focal Points
Fátima Fernández, United Cities and Local Government (UCLG) f.fernandez@uclg.org
Maggie Powers, Mayors Migration Council (MMC) mpowers@mayorsmigrationcouncil.org
Sashini Gomez, International Organization for Migration (IOM) sngomez@iom.int