Mexico City seeks to consolidate itself as a key player in the international human rights and social transformation agenda from a local perspective. In this context, Head of Government Clara Brugada Molina stated that the country's capital has become a global benchmark in the defense and expansion of rights, by welcoming the Executive Bureau 2026 forum of United Cities and Local Governments. During the opening of the event, which takes place in Mexico City from April 8 to 10, the capital's leader emphasized the importance of local governments as engines of social change, considering they have the greatest capacity to influence the daily lives of the population. From the Teatro de la Ciudad “Esperanza Iris”, Brugada Molina highlighted that CGLU is one of the most relevant spaces in the international municipalist movement, bringing together subnational governments seeking to drive social transformations through cooperation. Before representatives of more than 140 governments from 32 countries, the Head of Government called for reinforcing the role of cities in building a global agenda focused on peace, solidarity, and the defense of international law. In this sense, she warned that the multilateral order faces tensions and pointed out that cities must raise their voices in the face of conflict scenarios, while promoting solutions from the local level. She stated that international municipalism represents not only a political conviction but also a tool for diplomatic cooperation that allows for driving structural changes. Within the framework of the forum, Brugada Molina highlighted that this meeting takes place prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026, an event for which the country's capital is preparing with an inclusive vision focused on rights. The leader affirmed that the city seeks to welcome the world with a transformative approach, aligned with its social development agenda. Social agenda and combating inequalitiesThe Head of Government highlighted that her administration promotes public policies aimed at reducing extreme poverty and closing social gaps, with initiatives such as the Utopias, community spaces that offer access to services, culture, and sports. These actions, she said, have been consolidated as instruments of territorial justice and have been internationally recognized for their impact on building equality. She also emphasized that the future will be predominantly urban, so cities must lead solutions to global challenges such as the climate crisis, through strategies that include environmental conservation, electromobility, and social housing policies. International cooperation and future agendaBrugada Molina also highlighted that Mexico City will host the World Urban Forum in 2028, which represents an opportunity to strengthen the voice of local governments in building the post-2030 global agenda. The event was attended by international representatives who agreed on the need to reinforce cooperation between cities to face a complex global context and advance towards more just and inclusive communities. Attendees underscored the relevance of joint work from the local level as a way to respond to global challenges and guarantee respect for human rights.
