Award Ceremony of the UCLG Peace Prize

UCLG World Council, 25 June 2026

 

 

Dear

Mayors,

Leaders,

Peacebuilders,

 

It is now time to celebrate and award the UCLG Peace Prize.

This is the fourth edition of the prize that recognizes, supports, and celebrates, the key role of cities and local governments in building a culture of peace in their communities.

 

Today, as we gather in a world marked by conflict, polarization and growing uncertainty, the persisting challenges to peace are impossible to ignore.

Yet peace is too often understood only through the lens of international diplomacy or the absence of war.

For local and regional governments, peace is an integral part of people’s daily lives.

 

Peace is built when people have access to local public services.

To housing, education, healthcare and culture.

It is built when diversity is embraced rather than feared.

It is built when communities trust their institutions, and when public spaces become places of encounter rather than division.

 

Peace is not only the absence of violence,

it is the presence of rights, dignity, belonging and hope.

 

This understanding has increasingly shaped the work of our Organization.

Through the World Forum of Cities and Territories of Peace,
the Municipal Peace Talks, the Hague Charter on Municipal Peace, the Peace Prize and the Local Social Covenant process,
we have sought to demonstrate that local and regional governments are not merely stakeholders in peacebuilding.

They are peacebuilders in their own right.

 

The Hague Charter on Municipal Peace, is a tool to enable local collaboration in the fight against radicalization and extremism.

In promoting safety and in encouraging the peaceful coexistence of communities.

It supports the creation of conditions that motivate people to invest in a future in their own country.

 

As Mayor of the City of Peace and Justice, I know that true peace does not only happen in courtrooms or through global agreements.

 

It is cultivated locally.

In city halls, in neighbourhoods,

in schools and public spaces.

It is driven by local leaders who stand up for dignity, inclusion,  and resilience in the face of challenge and change.

The UCLG Peace Prize shines a light on exactly that kind of leadership.

 

This year’s edition of the award features five exceptional finalists from all over the world.

From the region of Manabí in Ecuador.

To the coasts of Lamu in Kenya.

From the rural lands of Kapoeta North in South Sudan,

To the metropolis of São Paulo in Brasil,

And the community of North Minahasa in Indonesia.

 

These local governments are united in our common goal of enhancing peace, and can set an example and inspire others.

 

We will now show a short video about our finalists,

after which we will officially announce the winner of the 2026 UCLG Peace Prize.

 

Please colleagues, once more, a big applause for the finalists of this year.

 

Then now,

it is time to announce the winner of the 2026 UCLG Peace Prize.

The winner has been chosen after a deliberate and thorough technical and jury process.

And will win 20.000 euros for its initiative.

This peace initiative stands out because,

it has developed a holistic,

and institutionalized approach to peacebuilding in a highly insecure context.

Thereby,

bringing together social cohesion, climate change, conflict, and displacement.

 

It is with great pleasure to award the UCLG Peace Prize to,

Lamu County, Kenya.

 

Congratulations,

Lamu County, Kenya.

 

We look forward to learning and hearing more from your efforts.

 

Allow me to close by, once again, encourage everyone to work on peace locally.

 

Thank you.