Local and Regional Leaders Showcase the Value of Public Services to Respond to the COVID-19 Crisis

More than 20 representatives of local and regional governments and partners, gathered online with civil society and the UN to exchange experiences on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants included UCLG' President the Mayor of Al-Hoceima, the Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Deputy Mayors from Barcelona, Rome and Madrid, representatives from Guangzhou, Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Xi’an, Durban, Lampedusa and Tehran, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing.

© UCLG and UN Habitat 2020

On the 26th of March 2020, UCLG, Metropolis and UN-Habitat organized a virtual exchange with representatives of local and regional governments and civil society to discuss the critical role of local and regional governments for the COVID-19 crisis and to exchange experiences concerning their responses. During the event presenters showcased different examples of how local and regional governments, public servants and health officials are currently contributing to equitable service delivery. Octavi de la Varga, Secretary General of Metropolis, used the opportunity to present the new Cities for Global Health Platform. Overall over 100 participants attended the online event.

UCLG, Metropolis and UN-Habitat plan to continue holding these live learning meetings on a weekly basis until the crisis is resolved. During the first month, key issues such as housing in crisis, mobility and access to technology in service delivery will take centre stage.

Download the press release here.