United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) has launched the 'Rabat 2013'  web platform for its World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders, to be held in Rabat, Morocco, this October. The platform www.uclg.org/Rabat2013 will provide information on the strategic and thematic debates of the Summit, and will function as a resource for the exchange of good practices.

The 2013 Metropolis Annual Meeting, scheduled to take place in Johannesburg from July 16 to 19, 2013, will explore the six key issues covered by the event’s theme, “Caring Cities,” at thematic sessions led by academic and urban experts, local and metropolitan leaders, and leading figures from international institutions, among others.

The next meeting of the Comparative Study on Metropolitan Governance, the Metropolis Initiative led by the Secretariat for Metropolitan Development in the State of São Paulo, with technical support from Empresa Paulista de Planejamento Metropolitano SA (Emplasa), will take place next week in the city of São Paulo, from April 25 to 26.

The United Nations Advisory Committee of Local Authorities (UNACLA) met on Sunday 14 April on the occasion of the 24th Session of the UN Habitat Governing Council.

The UCLG leadership was represented by Co-President Masunda, Mayor of Harare, President of CEMR, Dr. Schuster, and President of the Kenyan Association, Mayor Kores, along with the President of the African Women's Network, Mayor Fatimatu. Also in attendance were the Mayor of Kigali, the Deputy Mayor of Mogadishu, and Mayor Hugua from Wakatobi, Indonesia. The cities of Medellín, Brasilia and Lusaka were represented together with the local government organizations, Metropolis, UCLG-EuroAsia, FMDV and ICLEI.

Franklin Dias Coelho, Special Secretary for Science and Technology of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, visited today the headquarters of the Metropolis Secretariat General at Barcelona. The secretary and his advisor, Maria Helena Jardim, demonstrated enthusiasm in strengthening Rio's participation in the association, especially at times of preparation of the city for major international events, such as the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games.

Check out here the article written by Secretary General of Metropolis, Alain Le Saux, to find out his proposal and thoughts on how to enhace the effectiveness of post-2015 MDG financing.

The United Nations Agency in charge of the Habitat Agenda (UN-Habitat) is holding its 24^th Governing Council on 15-19 April in Nairobi, Kenya.

This year’s Council will take as its special theme: ‘Sustainable urban development: the role of cities in creating improved economic opportunities for all, with special references to youth and gender”.

World Mayors, who care about their cities and their people, will gather in Johannesburg, from 16-19 July 2013 to participate in the Metropolis Annual and Board of Directors Meeting.