Mayor Jan van Zanen of The Hague spoke with the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), António Guterres in New York last week. During the conversation, Guterres emphasized the importance of local government in tackling global problems. Issues such as international conflicts, migration, climate change and social inclusion all have an impact on cities and villages worldwide.
Van Zanen was invited by Guterres as chairman of the world association of municipalities United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG). The arrival of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in The Hague was also confirmed in New York.
UNDP is the UN’s lead agency for international development, focusing on a range of areas, including poverty reduction, democratic governance, crisis prevention and recovery. UNDP will soon open an office in The Hague specifically for a global programme in the area of the rule of law and human rights – the Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development .
UNDP wants to work closely with other international organisations in The Hague on innovative solutions for legal problems of people worldwide. According to Mayor Van Zanen, the arrival of UNDP strengthens the ties between the UN and The Hague, and the international profile of the city of Peace and Justice. Approximately 500 international institutions and organisations are based in The Hague. In addition to being a host city for international organisations, The Hague is also increasingly becoming an international conference city for world leaders and professionals, from the Nuclear Security Summit in 2014 to the NATO summit this year.
UCLG (United Cities and Local Governments)
In October 2024, UCLG organised a major international conference in The Hague on the role of local governments in tackling global problems. Here, Mayor Van Zanen took over the annual rotating presidency of the world association amid hundreds of mayors and local administrators. In September 2024, countries worldwide also recognised the importance of local governments in achieving a sustainable, peaceful and prosperous future for all. The countries have laid this down at the UN in the Pact for the Future .
UN chief Guterres emphasized in the conversation with Van Zanen to involve local governments more in international decision-making. UCLG can help think about how to implement this. Dutch municipalities were already represented by VNG chair and mayor Sharon Dijksma of Utrecht in the advisory group of mayors of the secretary-general, which promotes cooperation between the UN and local and regional governments.
Mayor Van Zanen: “I am very pleased that the UN sees local power, the power of people. It is important that municipalities worldwide are more involved in UN decisions. Local administrators are at the heart of the community. They see better than anyone what international conflicts, climate problems, migration, poverty and inequality mean in daily life for their residents. They know what is needed to keep a community going and can often quickly assess whether things are being invented that do not work or have already been invented. Locally, there is a key role for peaceful coexistence.”
Image provided by the Gemeente Den Haag press office