New capacity-building opportunities are now available to mayors.

Following discussions between CLGF and Bloomberg City Mayor Training, Commonwealth mayors may now register for some of these initiatives, event thought they are already in progress. They are free of charge, but are only open to mayors. They include:

• Monthly sessions for mayors from around the world (plus up to three of their senior staff). This virtual learning series explores approaches and actions focused on equitable recovery, building and maintaining the trust of residents, crisis budgeting and fiscal recovery, and supporting the city workforce.

Recaps of topics covered in the monthly sessions can be found here. Interested mayors need to register; the monthly sessions are open to enrolment. To register your interest, go to the link.  

• A biweekly programme for mayors from Africa and Latin America. This features faculty from Harvard University and other leading experts who provide up-to-date health information, science-based guidance, and crisis leadership training on leading and managing through the crisis; planning for the future in a time of uncertainty; managing the public health emergency; navigating fiscal challenges; leading the process of change; and preparing for recovery in the current global economy.

Recaps of the bi-weekly sessions can be found here. Interested mayors need to register, however, the biweekly programme focused on Africa and Latin America is a loosely curated group and, therefore, Bloomberg administrators will admit applicants they deem most conducive to maintaining balanced conversation. (CLGF has no control or influence over these choices). If you wish to attend the bi-weekly program, email this contact. 

• A third opportunity for the Asia Pacific region is the Call for Expression of Interests: Asia-Pacific Mayors Academy 2020 Class. The Asia Pacific Mayors Academy was launched in 2019 by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). In cooperation with the United Nations University, Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS); the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) and Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES). 

After the successful conclusion of the inaugural class, a second class is being launched for this year. The Academy engages newly-elected or appointed city mayors/governors in the Asia-Pacific region to participate in annual fellowships and build their capacities to develop and implement sustainable urban solutions in their communities, in support of the New Urban Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This year, the Academy delivers tailored activities to mayors through both virtual and physical sessions (depending on the situation of the COVID-19) coupled with ongoing peer-learning, and builds a network of local leaders in Asia-Pacific committed to sustainable urban development.   

Fellows are selected on an annual basis to join the Academy classes. City mayors/governors interested in fellowships are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria and complete an application available through the website. Applications are reviewed on a continuous basis and mayors will be notified if selected to join a class of fellows. 

The deadline for applications for the 2020 Class is 21 August, using the official application form. 

Any questions can be addressed to:  escap-edd-suds@un.org