U7 Group
The U7 aims to serve as medium between local and national governments. We are working to provide local actors with an opportunity to join forces and position themselves in international political processes relevant for executing their local mandates.
City networks, in their role as speakers for cities and municipalities, constitute the central actors of the U7 process. The U7 Group – together with national associations of cities and network partners – ensures that all G7 countries and their local governments are therefore represented in the U7 process.
U7 Secretariat
The U7 Group is chaired by the U7 Secretariat consisting of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and the Global Parliament of Mayors (GPM) as well as the city association from the country leading the G7 that year. In 2026, the G7 Presidency is held by France and thus France Urbaine is fulfilling that role in the U7 Group.
The U7 Group
National associations of cities
Canada: Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)
France: France Urbaine (Urban France)
Germany: Deutscher Städtetag (Association of German Cities)
Italy: Associazione Nazionale Comuni Italiani (ANCI, National Association of Italian Municipalities)
Japan: Japan Designated City Mayors' Association (JDCMA)
The European Union: Eurocities
UK: Core Cities UK
USA: The United States Conference of Mayors (USCOM)
Network Partner
U7 Secretariat in 2026
Founded in 2016, France urbaine brings together 110 member authorities and represents 2,000 municipalities of all sizes, home to nearly 30 million people in France. The association advances a political and technical vision in the service of its members and citizens, fostering continuous dialogue with all stakeholders across society at local, national, European, and international levels. France urbaine contributes to informing public decision-making on key issues affecting urban territories and decentralisation.
Global Parliament of Mayors (GPM)
The Global Parliament of Mayors is a governance body of, by and for mayors from all continents with a vision of the world in which mayors, their cities and networks are equal partners in building global governance for an inclusive and sustainable world. Its mission is to facilitate debates between mayors, national governments and international organisations, drive systematic action to take on global and national challenges and opportunities to achieve political change on a global scale. The GPM builds on the experience, expertise and leadership of mayors in tackling local challenges resulting from global problems.
ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability
ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability is a global network of more than 2500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. ICLEI, its members and team of experts work together in 125+ countries through peer exchange, partnerships and capacity building to create systemic change for urban sustainability, and to respond to complex (global) challenges. ICLEI brings the latest global knowledge and solutions to the local context.
Scientific Coordinator in 2026
Founded in 2021, the City Diplomacy Lab is a UNECE-recognized Center of Excellence for Sustainable Urban Development that advances research, training, and practice on cities' strategic role in international relations. The Lab has designed and provided scientific coordination for high-level institutional debates, advocacy initiatives, and peer-learning activities on city diplomacy in settings including the United Nations, the European Parliament, COP climate conferences, and the World Urban Forum, in partnership with intergovernmental organizations, national governments, and leading city networks.
U7 Secretariat 2026:
