Speech by Jan van Zanen at the opening of the Global Summit of Strong Cities in Cape Town, 3 December 2024

Dear all,

Good morning.

It is an honor to be here today as the Mayor of The Hague, co-chair of the Strong Cities Network, and president of UCLG.

Over the next few days, we will discuss: “Mayors and Cities Mitigating the Local Impacts of Global Crises.”

No crisis remains confined to one place in our interconnected world.

Issues such as climate change, inequality, and instability transcend borders and affect us all.

Cities are on the front lines of these challenges.

We see the impacts of global problems in our streets, schools, and communities.

But cities are also where solutions begin.

Together, we can find ways to create safe, inclusive, and resilient communities.

The Hague is known as the international city of Peace & Justice.

For many years, our city has brought people together to solve global problems.

We have a long tradition of promoting dialogue, diplomacy, and cooperation.

These values are an important part of who we are as a city.

In The Hague, we work hard to address our challenges.

We focus on sustainability, social inclusion, and resilience.

Our programs combat extremism and hate, and promote respect and understanding.

Through education and community engagement, we create places where diversity is celebrated, not feared.

As president of UCLG, I have seen many cities take courageous steps to address global challenges.

Cities are using new technologies to fight climate change.

They are building stronger communities by fostering trust and inclusion.

This creativity and determination give me hope for the future.

The Hague Charter on Municipal Peace, developed together with UCLG, is a guide for cities worldwide.

It reminds us of our shared goals: safe, inclusive, and sustainable cities.

The Charter shows how local action can lead to global change.

And I am pleased to share this Charter with you today.

During this conference, we have the opportunity to showcase what works and tackle our challenges together.

Let us use this conference to inspire each other and find solutions together.

Our collaboration will make our cities—and the world—more resilient, inclusive, and stronger.

Thank you.