Below is the mission of UCLG – United Cities and Local Governments as set out in its Constitution adopted at the 2004 Founding Congress.

Mission

To be the united voice and world advocate of democratic local self-government, promoting its values, objectives and interests, through cooperation between local governments, and within the wider international community.

Objectives

• Promote strong and effective democratic local self-government throughout the world.
• Promote unity and cooperation amongst members.
• Ensure the effective political representation of local government to the international community, in particular the United Nations and its agencies.
• Be the worldwide source of key information regarding local government.
• Be the worldwide source of learning, exchange and capacity-building.
• Support the establishment and strengthening of free and autonomous local governments and their national associations.
• Promote economic, social, cultural, vocational and environmental development and public service based on the principles of good governance, sustainability and social inclusion.
• Promote race and gender equality and combat all forms of discrimination.
• Be a strong democratic organisation reflecting the diversity of the local spheres of governance.
• Promote decentralised cooperation, international cooperation, twinning and partnerships between local governments and their associations.
• Develop programmes and initiatives.

Tasks

• Engage in lobbying and advocacy to promote the role and status of local government in the international arena and to influence international policy making.
• Develop and promote policies and positions on key local government and international issues.
• Collaborate with the United Nations and its agencies, and other relevant international organisations.
• Develop initiatives and action programmes through decentralised cooperation/development projects between local governments and associations of local governments.
• Build an international platform of exchanges and partnerships, in order to strengthen the capacities of local governments and their associations.
• Support a strong network of local government members and develop services and global products to meet their needs and demands.
• Become a major world source of information on local self-government, local authorities, international solidarity and the exchange of experience.
• Disseminate information through publications, seminars and new information technologies on the situation and the evolution of local government all over the world and organise congresses and other events.