Cities Bring over 50 New Pledges to 2026 UN Migration Forum
Local leaders advance practical solutions amid global polarization on migration
New York, 5 May 2026— At the opening of the UN International Migration Review Forum (IMRF), a delegation of mayors and local leaders from 14 cities and regions joins Member States and international partners to assess progress on the UN Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM).
At the IMRF, cities and regions will deliver over 50 new local pledges through the Call to Local Action for Migrants and Refugees, bringing the total to 181 local commitments since 2022. Together, these pledges reach over 240 million residents and mobilize USD 90 million in funding. These results are detailed in the third Report on Local Action for Migrants and Refugees (2026), released today.
“Local and regional governments are making global commitments tangible by protecting everyday essentials, ensuring rights through access to local public services for all, making multilateralism more meaningful and effective’, said Emilia Saiz, Secretary General of United Cities and Local Governments.
Launched at the first IMRF in 2022, the Call to Local Action has become a critical pathway for local governments to advance action aligned with the Global Compact for Migration and the Global Compact on Refugees. This role of cities has been recognized by the UN Secretary-General as a key tool to accelerate progress on both global frameworks.
As António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, noted at the launch of his 2026 GCM Report, “Cities and local authorities have shown leadership and courage—often on the frontlines with limited resources.”
The new pledges come amid growing political polarization around migration and a decline in global funding. While progress at national level remains uneven, cities continue to advance practical solutions—from service delivery, to combatting discrimination and connecting migrants and refugees to jobs.
‘When walls go up and rhetoric turns toxic, mayors step forward and remind the world that migration isn’t a threat but a driver of shared prosperity. These pledges are a strong testament to that ambition,’ said Vittoria Zanuso, Executive Director of the Mayors Migration Council.
The pledges will be presented at a high-level IMRF side event on Friday, May 8, at the UN Headquarters, bringing together city leaders, national governments, and UN partners to demonstrate impact and identify ways to strengthen cooperation and scale implementation.
The IMRF takes place within the global ‘100 days of local multilateralism’ campaign in which local and regional governments around the world advocate for a renewed multilateral system that is built with, and around, the needs of communities.
‘When migrants and displaced people need support, local leaders are often the first to act – offering services, strengthening communities, and creating pathways to belonging. These pledges show what’s possible when cities are empowered to lead. With strong partnerships and direct access to resources, global commitments can deliver real change in people’s daily lives’, said Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration
