Statement

A statement from the Mayors Migration Council on the passing of founding Leadership Board member Bruno Covas, Mayor of São Paulo

By Mayors Migration Council

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mayor Bruno Covas and we extend our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones, our friends and colleagues in the São Paulo Municipal Government, and the migrant and refugee communities of São Paulo. 

The local and global leadership of Mayor Covas on behalf of migrants and refugees will not soon be replaced. As leader of South America’s largest city, Mayor Covas ensured that São Paulo is and will remain “a city open to immigrants” in both policy and practice, instituting the city’s first Municipal Council of Immigrants and Municipal Immigrant Policy Plan. He worked tirelessly to ensure that the rights of migrants and refugees are upheld and that their voices are heard. As a founding member of the Mayors Migration Council Leadership Board, Mayor Covas showed that São Paulo’s vision of an open city can serve as an inspiration to all cities, and that all cities should have the capacity to build an inclusive society from the ground up. 

Mayor Covas has been a true champion for a more inclusive São Paulo and a more inclusive world. While we mourn his loss, his powerful vision and ideals will carry on through the legacy he leaves behind. 

The Mayors Migration Council 

The Mayors Migration Council is led by the strategic vision of a Leadership Board of mayors:

  • His Excellency Yousef Shawarbeh, Mayor, Greater Amman Municipality, Jordan
  • The Honorable Marvin Rees, Mayor, City of Bristol, United Kingdom
  • Her Worship Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Mayor, City of Freetown, Sierra Leone
  • His Worship Erias Lukwago, Lord Mayor, Kampala Capital City Authority, Uganda
  • The Honorable Eric Garcetti, Mayor, City of Los Angeles, United States
  • The Honorable Giuseppe Sala, Mayor, City of Milan, Italy,
  • Her Worship Valérie Plante, Mayor, City of Montréal, Canada
  • The Honorable Corine Mauch, Mayor, City of Zürich, Switzerland
  • The Honorable Georgios Kaminis, Special Envoy to the MMC and C40 Cities, former Mayor of Athens, Member of Parliament, Greece

KEEP IN TOUCH

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our latest news and updates.

Subscribe