U7 Mayors Summit 2026 Held in Nancy, France: Bringing the Voice of Cities to the G7
Kobe City Mayor Kizo Hisamoto signs the U7 Nancy Declaration. 
City leaders at the U7 Mayors Summit 2026 
Presentation by Mayor Kizo Hisamoto of Kobe City 
Mayor Kizo Hisamoto of Kobe City at a panel discussion 
Scenes from the U7 Mayors Summit 2026 
Mayor Kizo Hisamoto of Kobe City (right) and Togo Uchida, Executive Director of ICLEI Japan (left) 
The 2026 U7 Mayors Summit in Nancy, France The U7 Mayors Summit 2026 was held in Nancy, France, on 3-4 June 2026, bringing together more than 200 mayors, local leaders, and urban stakeholders from G7 countries and cities around the world, including representatives from the Global South. Participants discussed shared challenges facing cities and the critical role of local governments in addressing them.
A key outcome of the Summit was the adoption of the Nancy Declaration by mayors representing G7 countries.
The Declaration highlights that cities are:
- Indispensable partners for the G7;
- Key actors in promoting peace, democracy, and international solidarity;
- Essential components of comprehensive resilience frameworks; and
- Powerful drivers of competitiveness and sustainable transformation.
This year marked a major milestone for the U7. Under the French G7 Presidency, the U7 was officially recognized for the first time as a G7 Engagement Group, opening a formal pathway for cities to contribute their perspectives to international decision-making processes. This recognition represents a significant achievement, reflecting several years of advocacy and engagement by cities and local government networks worldwide.
From Japan, Mayor Kizo Hisamoto of Kobe participated in the Summit, joining fellow mayors and local government representatives from across the G7 and beyond in discussions on shared urban challenges and opportunities. Kobe hosted the 2025 U7 Mayors’ Summit in conjunction with the Kobe Global Conference, further strengthening its role in advancing international city cooperation.
ICLEI Japan participated in and supported the Summit in Nancy in cooperation with the Secretariat of the Japan Designated Cities Mayors Association. The Summit reaffirmed that cities, as the level of government closest to citizens, are essential in translating international commitments into tangible local action. With the U7’s recognition as an official G7 Engagement Group, cities are expected to play an increasingly influential role in future G7 discussions. ICLEI Japan will continue to support local governments in building sustainable and resilient communities through collaboration with local governments and partners in Japan and around the world.
The U7 Nancy Declaration is available in English, French, and Japanese.
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