United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) is a global network of local officials from over 100 countries in every region of the world.  Members share experiences, learn about successful programs, and establish alliances for mutual benefit.  As the advocate for democracy and decentralized authority in cities and towns around the world, UCLG represents local interests before world institutions such as the United Nations and the World Bank.  Through research, education and technical assistance, UCLG supports efforts to promote gender equity, local government innovation, and capacity building and leadership in cities and towns.  Representatives from the National League of Cities hold seats on the governing board of UCLG.  NLC Past President Clarence Anthony, Mayor, South Bay, Florida, is the elected treasurer of UCLG and a member of the management committee.  NLC's Executive Director is the Secretary General for the North America region.

Below are listed some recent programs and initiatives from UCLG.

• The World Urban Forum, held every two years, was established by the United Nations to examine rapid urbanization in a world where half of humanity lives in cities.  The challenges of urbanization affect communities in both the developed and the developing world.  The Forum focuses on issues such as poverty, access to basic shelter, clean water and sanitation, crumbling infrastructure, pollution, and sustainable development.
  
• The Global Observatory on Local Democracy and Decentraization (GOLD) is a web portal launched by UCLG as part of its objective to be a major world-wide source of information on local self-government.  In the current initial phase of implementation, over 1,500 websites with relevant informaton on local government can be accessed.

Global Observatory for Local Democracy (GOLD)

• The Millennium Development initiatives are a product of the September 2000 United Nations Millennium Summit.  At the summit, 189 heads of state agreed to a set of time-bound and measurable principles for combating poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women, to be met by 2015.  In response, UCLG issued a local government declaration which commits municipal leaders to a leading role in helping to achieve the targets in the UN Millennium Declaration.
  
  Local Government Millennium Declaration

To become a direct member of UCLG, or for more information about activities, visit the UCLG website at the address http://www.cities-localgovernments.org, or contact James Brooks in the International Programs office at the National League of Cities, Tel. (202) 626-3163, E-mail:  brooks@nlc.org.