UNHCR and the Mayors Migration Council Renew Strategic Partnership to Accelerate City-Led Solutions for Refugees and Displaced People
Geneva, 1 September 2025 — The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the Mayors Migration Council (MMC) signed a new Memorandum of Understanding to deepen their strategic collaboration and amplify the role of cities in the global governance and response to forced displacement.
With over 70% of the world’s displaced population living in urban areas, the renewed partnership recognizes that cities are not only the first point of refuge, but also critical engines of inclusion, resilience, and long-term solutions. The agreement expands joint efforts to strengthen city diplomacy, scale local action, and generate knowledge that shifts narratives and informs global policy.
The MoU was signed today in Geneva by Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, and Vittoria Zanuso, Executive Director of the Mayors Migration Council, marking a milestone in the growing recognition of local governments as central actors in global displacement governance.
“Cities are the beating heart of business, culture, and community. They are where displaced people seek not only shelter, but the chance to rebuild their lives with dignity,” said Ruvendrini Menikdiwela. “Through this renewed partnership with the Mayors Migration Council, UNHCR is doubling down on our commitment to support mayors and municipalities on the frontlines of displacement—so they can deliver, be heard, and help shape the future of protection.”
Under the expanded agreement, UNHCR and the MMC will collaborate across three pillars:
- Advocacy: Elevating the voice of mayors in multilateral processes—including the Global Refugee Forum—through formalized representation mechanisms and joint campaigns that spotlight city pledges to the Global Compact on Refugees.
- Action: Advancing inclusive city-level solutions through technical support and coordination, with UNHCR as a Strategic Partner of the MMC’s Global Cities Fund for Migrants and Refugees and working together to expand access to enabling policy tools and resources for municipalities.
- Knowledge: Closing critical data gaps on urban displacement and producing joint research, policy briefs, and communications that document what works—and why—in city-led responses.
“This is a pivotal moment,” said Vittoria Zanuso. “With most displaced people living in cities, we need global partnerships that reflect local realities. This agreement helps us move from coordination to true collaboration—where mayors have a seat, a say, and a stake in shaping the future of displacement response.”
As part of the MoU, the two institutions will also co-lead the Local Coalition for Migrants and Refugees and its flagship Call to Local Action, which secured more than 100 city pledges worth over $80 million at the 2023 Global Refugee Forum. UNHCR will further support GCF cities with technical assistance, joint fundraising, and field-level coordination, while working with the MMC to promote alternatives to camps and expand pathways to documentation, housing, jobs, and education for the urban displaced.
The partnership runs through 2030, aligning with the next phase of the MMC’s 2025–2030 Business Plan and UNHCR’s efforts to implement its Policy on Refugee Protection and Solutions in Urban Areas. It builds on several years of joint initiatives and reflects the shared belief that delivering protection at scale depends not only on national policies—but on the leadership and capacity of the cities where displaced people live.
“The commitments of mayors around the world—whether on climate resilience, child protection, or housing—are what bring the spirit of the Global Compact to life,” added Menikdiwela. “Together with the MMC, we aim to unlock more tools, more space, and more support for the cities that are delivering.”
About the Mayors Migration Council
The Mayors Migration Council (MMC) is a mayor-led coalition accelerating global action on migration and displacement. With most migrants and displaced people living in cities, the MMC helps mayors influence policy and access resources to implement inclusive, city-led solutions. Learn more at www.mayorsmigrationcouncil.org or follow @MayorsMigration.
About UNHCR
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights, and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people. Learn more at www.unhcr.org or follow @Refugees.
Media Contacts
For the MMC: contact@mayorsmigrationcouncil.org
