Edward Marchesi The 2026 Urban 20 Mayors Summit brought together mayors from major G20 cities, including Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, for three intense days. The meeting, hosted in New York by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, represented a crucial moment in defining global urban priorities.
Statements from the provincial capitals: a shared commitment
During the closing press conference, Mamdani emphasized that " government action must improve the lives of the citizens it serves ," reiterating the need to make rent and energy bills more affordable. Bass, meanwhile, highlighted the value of intercity collaboration: " Urban 20 in 2026 demonstrated what cities can achieve when we come together to address everyday challenges ."
Both highlighted three key thematic areas: housing, climate, and migration, calling for a stronger role in policy decisions and funding flows.
Housing: Demand for more skills and funding
The mayors agreed that housing affordability is one of the most pressing challenges. They called for greater local expertise to manage housing policies, as well as broader access to public and international funding for city-wide solutions.
In practice, this means supporting social housing projects, incentivizing the redevelopment of unused properties, and simplifying the procedures for assigning housing to low-income families. The proclamation was reinforced by Gualtieri's testimony, which highlighted Rome as an example of a city already committed to these processes.
Climate: Towards a Fair Energy Transition
In the environmental sector, the goal is a clean and fair energy transition capable of reducing costs for citizens and creating quality jobs. Mayors have called for dedicated climate funding and support tools to protect the population from extreme heat, floods, and forest fires. The emphasis on healthcare protection and sustainable job creation aims to combine the fight against climate change with local economic growth.
Migration: integration and social cohesion
The final area of intervention concerns new arrivals . The regional capitals have called for a more decisive role in migration policies with direct funding for reception, integration, and essential services. The goal is to ensure efficient public services and promote social cohesion, preventing the marginalization of migrant communities. Bass emphasized that cities are on the front lines of providing decent employment opportunities and building a more inclusive society.
The final communiqué, released after three days of work in New York, reiterated that Urban 20 2026 demonstrated how cities can join forces to address everyday challenges, with a focus on housing, climate, and migration. The hope is that national and international authorities will translate these demands into concrete action, providing the resources needed to transform promises into tangible results for citizens around the world.