29 May 2025

U7 handover joint declaration to G7 in Ottawa urging for stronger cooperation

In a continued push to enhance multilevel global cooperation, the Urban7 (U7), represented by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) presented their joint Declaration to Cynthia Termorshuizen, Associate Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Personal Representative of the Prime Minister of Canada for the G7 Summit at the FCM Annual Conference. The declaration, entitled "A Case for Constructive Multilevel Multilateralism," emphasises the importance of participatory, transparent governance across all levels of government and calls for formal inclusion of the U7 as an official G7 engagement group—an essential step toward fostering meaningful dialogue. 

The handover was organized by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), which holds the 2025 chairmanship of the U7 under Canada’s G7 Presidency, and facilitated through FCM President Rebecca Bligh who handed over the declaration together with the the Mayor of Kitchener, Berry Vrbanovic.

“Cities are on the frontlines of global change—whether it’s the housing crisis, climate impacts, or technological transformation,” said Rebecca Bligh, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). “With today’s handover of the U7 Mayors’ Declaration, we are making the case that empowering cities and regions through formal engagement in the G7 will lead to better outcomes for people everywhere. Canada’s G7 Presidency is an opportunity to embrace true multilevel collaboration.”

Key recommendations of the declaration include:

• Formal recognition of the Urban7 as a G7 engagement group;

• Empowering cities with authority and resources to advance global priorities;

• Supporting city-to-city cooperation, especially with the Global South;

• Inclusive AI governance with local leadership;

• Strengthening democracy and resilience through local action and partnerships.

The handover builds on the momentum from the April 2025 U7 Mayors’ Summit in Kobe, Japan, during which U7 Mayors emerged with a unified call for the formal recognition of the U7 as an official G7 engagement group. The status of a G7 engagement group is a necessity for more systematic and permanent dialogue between local leaders and G7 ministers.  Mayors furthermore underscored the importance of rules-based international engagement, strong partnerships between levels of governments, and the crucial role of cities in building these partnerships, supporting peace and democracy, and delivering aid and expertise to war-ravaged communities such as in Ukraine.

With the handover of the joint declaration to the G7 Sherpa in Ottawa, the U7 seek to set the stage for the upcoming G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, June 15–17.