7th meeting of the OECD Champion Mayors for Inclusive Growth (by invitation only)

In an era of global uncertainty, mayors are at the forefront to counter mounting pressures – from high living costs and persistent inequality to the challenge of ensuring equitable access to quality jobs and embracing climate, digital and demographic transitions. Amongst others, cities are grappling with housing shortages, digital divides, and escalating climate risks – calling for a renewed social contract to uphold socio-economic stability. Rebuilding public trust in institutions is more critical than ever amid political polarisation and shifting global dynamics. To navigate these complex challenges and turn disruptions into beacons of positive change, mayors must work hand in hand with other levels of government, harness the power of city-to-city diplomacy and cultivate international partnerships to drive impactful local solutions. During this session, mayors will be invited to share bold, forward-looking strategies to champion inclusive economic growth and shape resilient, competitive and sustainable cities.

The future of urban mobility is being reshaped by profound shifts, from rapid population growth in some cities to ageing and shrinking in others, alongside climate change, rising inequality, and a new geography of remote work. The COVID-19 pandemic has also shifted the focus of urban mobility from simply moving people around to ensuring equitable accessibility. Some cities struggle with congestion and overstretched transport systems, when others face the challenge of maintaining viable transport networks despite declining ridership. At the same time, outdated infrastructure, digital transformation, and evolving work patterns call for a rethinking of how cities connect people to jobs, services, and opportunities, and for making resilience to future disruptions a core principle of urban mobility. However, this transition may face significant barriers, including insufficient funding, lack of co ordination between different stakeholders, and public resistance to change. Cities can either seize the chance to become more accessible for all and resilient, or risk remaining fragmented by inefficient, car-centric planning. Mayors stand at the centre of these transformations, with the power to drive policy change through their responsibilities over land use, spatial planning, and infrastructure. They also play a key role in fostering collaboration between public and private sectors while actively engaging citizens in the process, as well as leveraging digital technologies to enhance accessibility and resilience. Mayors will be invited to share how they adapt transport systems to changing urban realities in order to serve diverse communities, foster economic vitality, and support environmental goals, making cities not only more liveable but also more just, competitive, sustainable and resilient.

Ahead of the upcoming OECD Regional Development Policy Ministerial Meeting (19-20 May 2025, Warsaw, Poland), mayors will endorse a “Call to Action” for better policies for resilient places. Mayors will highlight the need to align national-level regional development policies with local realities, while empowering local governments to drive meaningful change in building resilient places where every resident has a chance to thrive.