About us

We elevate the collective voice of metropolises on the global stage, foster global cooperation, dialogue and sharing of knowledge and solutions.

Vision, Mission and values

A collaborative and caring association, dedicated to transforming our metropolises towards more sustainable, equal and resilient societies

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Action Plan 2024-2026

EN ES FR

People of Metropolis

Metropolis’ work is possible thanks to the active participation of representatives of our membership and a committed team that connects the multiple actors interacting with the association

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Metropolises operates, as well, as the metropolitan section of the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), since its constitution, in 2004.

Our history

1984

1ST METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS

ILE-DE-FRANCE

1ST METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS

1985

1st METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS. METROPOLIS CONSTITUENT CONGRESS

April

MONTREAL

1st METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS. METROPOLIS CONSTITUENT CONGRESS (14 members)                                           

  • Participants: Abidjan, Addis Ababa, Colombo, London, Tokyo, New York, Los Ángeles, Île-de-France, Montréal, Metropolitan Corporation of Barcelona, Mexico (state), Cairo, Buenos Aires, Torino
  • Michel Giraud, Paris, Île-de-France is elected first president
  • Institution of Metropolis Commissions (until 2011)

1986

1ST METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

CAIRO

1ST  METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

1987

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

NEW YORK

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

2ND METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “A Better Life for All in Metropolises”

January

MEXICO CITY

2ND METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS  “A Better Life for All in Metropolises”

1988

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

MADRID

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

1989

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

CASABLANCA

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

1990

3RD METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “Metropolises in Ascendancy”

October

MELBOURNE

3RD METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “Metropolises in Ascendancy

  • From here on Metropolis articulates its technical Commissions, which present their results every triennial congress

1991

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

DAKAR

1992

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

BARCELONA

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

1993

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

CAIRO

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

4TH METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “Citizens and Sustainable Development”

January

MONTREAL

4TH METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “Citizens and Sustainable Development”

  • Metropolis creates its Technical Assistance Scheme

1994

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

TOKYO

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

1995

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

LISBON

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

1996

METROPOLIS INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE (MII) CREATION

MONTREAL

METROPOLIS INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE (MII) CREATION

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

ILE-DE-FRANCE

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

5TH METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “Metropolis for the People: Seeking Solidarity among World Citizens”

January

TOKYO

5TH METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “Metropolis for the People: Seeking Solidarity among World Citizens”

Metropolis participates to the UNHABITAT II "CITY SUMMIT" and proposes the establishment of the World Association of Cities and Local Authorities Coordination (WACLAC)

June

PARIS

Metropolis participates to the UNHABITAT II "CITY SUMMIT" and proposes the establishment of the World Association of Cities and Local Authorities Coordination (WACLAC)

1997

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

SANTIAGO DE CHILE

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

1998

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

SEOUL

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

JOAN CLOS (BARCELONA) SUCCEEDS MICHEL GIRAUD (ÎLE-DE-FRANCE) AS PRESIDENT

1999

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PARIS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

JOSEP ROIG MARTÍ is nominated METROPOLIS SECRETARY GENERAL

JOSEP ROIG MARTÍ is nominated METROPOLIS SECRETARY GENERAL

6TH METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “A Network of Cities for World Citizens”

March 1999

BARCELONA

6TH METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “A Network of Cities for World Citizens”

  • APPROVAL OF THE ACTION PLAN 1999-2002

2000

METROPOLIS’ REGIONAL SECRETARIES CREATION

METROPOLIS SECRETARIAT GENERAL MOVES TO BARCELONA

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

October

GUANGZHOU

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

2001

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

RIO DE JANEIRO

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

2002

7TH METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “Metropolitan Governance in the New Millennium”

May

SEOUL

 

  • 1ST METROPOLIS AWARDS “Seeking better quality of life for the world’s metropolises”
  • SEOUL DECLARATION ON METROPOLITAN GOVERNANCE

  • APPROVAL OF THE ACTION PLAN 2002-2005

2003

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

September

ISTANBUL

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

2004

UCLG CREATION

January

ILE-DE-FRANCE

UCLG CREATION

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

September

ESTADO DE MEXICO

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

2005

8TH METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “Tradition and Transformation. The Future of the City”

May

BERLIN

 

  • 2ND METROPOLIS AWARDS 

  • APPROVAL OF THE ACTION PLAN 2005-2008

  • METROPOLIS WOMEN INTERNATIONAL NETWORK CREATION

  • Metropolis Women’s congress

  • Youth Congress “My City - Visions 2005 +”

2006

METROPOLIS EXTRAORDINARY ANNUAL MEETING

ILE-DE-FRANCE

 

  • JEAN-PAUL HUCHON (ÎLE-DE-FRANCE) SUCCEEDS JOAN CLOS (BARCELONA) AS PRESIDENT

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

June

TORONTO

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

2007

1ST METROPOLIS WOMEN INTERNATIONAL NETWORK FORUM “Dynamic Cities Need Women”

December

BRUSSELS

1ST METROPOLIS WOMEN INTERNATIONAL NETWORK FORUM “Dynamic Cities Need Women”

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

September

ANTANANARIVO

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

2008

9TH METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “Connecting Cities”

October

SYDNEY

9TH METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “Connecting Cities”

  • 1ST REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER IN MASHHAD

  • 3RD METROPOLIS AWARDS

  • APPROVAL OF THE ACTION PLAN 2009-2011

2009

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

May

MOSCOW

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

2ND METROPOLIS WOMEN INTERNATIONAL NETWORK FORUM “Dynamic Cities Need Women: Visions and Challenges for a Women-Friendly City”

October

SEOUL

2ND METROPOLIS WOMEN INTERNATIONAL NETWORK FORUM “Dynamic Cities Need Women: Visions and Challenges for a Women-Friendly City”

2010

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING

BARCELONA

2011

10TH METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “Cities in Transition”

November

PORTO ALEGRE

 

  • APPROVAL OF THE ACTION PLAN 2012-2014

  • APPROVAL OF METROPOLIS INITIATIVES 

  • ALAIN LE SAUX SUCCEEDS JOSEP ROIG AS METROPOLIS SECRETARY GENERAL

  • 4TH METROPOLIS AWARDS

2012

LAUNCH OF THE URBAN INNOVATION PROGRAM

LAUNCH OF THE URBAN INNOVATION PROGRAM

1ST GUANGZHOU INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR URBAN INNOVATION 

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING “Innovation towards a Better Future”

November

GUANGZHOU

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING “Innovation towards a Better Future”

2013

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING “Caring Cities”

July

JOHANNESBURG

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING “Caring Cities”

3RD METROPOLIS WOMEN INTERNATIONAL NETWORK FORUM “Dynamic Cities Need Women: Women and Armed Conflict”

September

ABIDJAN

3RD METROPOLIS WOMEN INTERNATIONAL NETWORK FORUM “Dynamic Cities Need Women: Women and Armed Conflict”

2014

METROPOLIS INTERNATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE (MITI) OPENING

January

SEOUL

 

  • From MII to MITI - Headquarters in Seoul
  • Regional centers in: Cairo, Mashhad, Mexico City, Paris and Île-de-France

2ND GUANGZHOU INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR URBAN INNOVATION

November

GUANGZHOU

2ND GUANGZHOU INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR URBAN INNOVATION

11TH METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “Cities for All”

October

HYDERABAD

 

  • APPROVAL OF THE METROPOLIS ACTION PLAN 2015-2017 BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

  • APPROVAL OF THE NEW STATUTES AND THE RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE ASSOCIATION

  • OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF VOICE OF THE MAYORS

  • OFFICIAL LAUNCH METROPOLIS YOUTH 

  • OFFICIAL POLICY TRANSFER PLATFORM (PTP) LAUNCH

  • METROPOLIS WOMEN INTERNATIONAL NETWORK’s president becomes a member of the BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • 5TH METROPOLIS AWARDS “Seeking Better Quality of Life for the World’s Metropolises”

 

2015

DENIS CODERRE SUCCEEDS JEAN-PAUL HUCHON (ÎLE-DE-FRANCE) AS PRESIDENT

December

DENIS CODERRE (MONTRÉAL) SUCCEEDS JEAN-PAUL HUCHON (ÎLE-DE-FRANCE) AS PRESIDENT

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING “LIVE THE CITY”

May

BUENOS AIRES

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING “LIVE THE CITY”

  • APPROVAL OF ACTION PLAN REVISION to incorporate the Gender Mainstreaming Perspective for the first time

  • VOICE OF THE MAYORS DEBATE

HABITAT III: THEMATIC MEETING ON METROPOLITAN AREAS

October

MONTREAL

HABITAT III: THEMATIC MEETING ON METROPOLITAN AREAS

FELIP ROCA SUCCEEDS ALAIN LE SAUX AS SECRETARY GENERAL

September

FELIP ROCA SUCCEEDS ALAIN LE SAUX AS SECRETARY GENERAL

2016

3RD GUANGZHOU INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR URBAN INNOVATION

December

GUANGZHOU

3RD GUANGZHOU INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR URBAN INNOVATION

METROPOLIS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

March

MEXICO CITY

METROPOLIS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING (in the framework of the Habitat III thematic meeting “Financing urban development: the millennium challenge”)

PREPCITY#3 “Cities as Actors” – PRINCIPLES FOR BETTER CITIES

May

BERLIN

PREPCITY#3 “Cities as Actors” – PRINCIPLES FOR BETTER CITIES

METROPOLIS OBSERVATORY PROJECT LAUNCH

November

BARCELONA AND WORLDWIDE

METROPOLIS OBSERVATORY PROJECT LAUNCH

METROPOLIS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

October

BOGOTA

METROPOLIS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING (in the framework of the 5TH UCLG World Congress)

2017

12TH METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “Global Challenges: Major Cities in Action”

June

MONTREAL

12TH METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “Global Challenges: Major Cities in Action”

  • FROM INITIATIVES TO PILOT PROJECTS (effective in 2018)
  • DENNIS CODERRE PRESIDENCY IS RENEWED
  • OCTAVI DE LA VARGA SUCCEEDS FELIP ROCA AS SECRETARY GENERAL
  • MONTREAL DECLARATION “CITIES IN THE VANGUARD TO ADDRESS LOCAL AND GLOBAL ISSUES AND IMPLEMENT THE PARIS AGREEMENT ON CLIMATE CHANGE”

2018

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING “Inclusive Metropolitan Cities and City-Regions”

August

GAUTENG

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING “Inclusive Metropolitan Cities and City-Regions”

  • LAUNCH OF THE GAUTENG DECLARATION “INCLUSIVE METROPOLITAN CITIES AND CITY-REGIONS”
  • POLICY DEBATE - METROPOLIS BOARD OF DIRECTORS: MICHAEL MüLLER (BERLIN) IS CONFIRMED PRESIDENT OF METROPOLIS

4TH GUANGZHOU INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR URBAN INNOVATION

December

GUANGZHOU

4TH GUANGZHOU INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR URBAN INNOVATION

MICHAEL MüLLER (BERLIN) ASSUMES THE PRESIDENCY OF METROPOLIS ON AN INTERIM BASIS

January

MICHAEL MüLLER (BERLIN) ASSUMES THE PRESIDENCY OF METROPOLIS ON AN INTERIM BASIS

EXTRAORDINARY VIRTUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

January

EXTRAORDINARY VIRTUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

THE WORLD METROPOLITAN DAY IS CELEBRATED FOR THE 1ST TIME

October

WORLDWIDE

THE WORLD METROPOLITAN DAY IS CELEBRATED FOR THE 1ST TIME

2019

Metropolis Board of Directors meeting and II Policy Debate entitled “Civil Engagement in Changing Metropolises” (in the framework of UCLG Executive Bureau)

April

MONTEVIDEO

Metropolis Board of Directors meeting and II Policy Debate entitled “Civil Engagement in Changing Metropolises”  (in the framework of UCLG Executive Bureau)

FROM POLICY TRANSFER PLATFORM (PTP) TO URBAN SUSTAINABLE EXCHANGE (USE) PLATFORM

March

BERLIN AND WORLDWIDE

FROM POLICY TRANSFER PLATFORM (PTP) TO URBAN SUSTAINABLE EXCHANGE (USE) PLATFORM

LAUNCH OF THE DECENTRALIZED COOPERATION PROGRAM (EU DG DEVCO FUNDED)

May

LAUNCH OF THE DECENTRALIZED COOPERATION PROGRAM (EU DG DEVCO FUNDED)

2020

LAUNCH OF THE CITIES FOR GLOBAL HEALTH PLATFORM

March

LAUNCH OF THE CITIES FOR GLOBAL HEALTH PLATFORM

1984

1ST METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS 1984

1985

1st METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS. METROPOLIS CONSTITUENT CONGRESS 1985

1986

1ST METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING 1986

1987

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING 1987
2ND METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “A Better Life for All in Metropolises” 1987

1988

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING 1988

1989

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING 1989

1990

3RD METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “Metropolises in Ascendancy” 1990

1991

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING 1991

1992

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING 1992

1993

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING 1993
4TH METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “Citizens and Sustainable Development” 1993

1994

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING 1994

1995

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING 1995

1996

METROPOLIS INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE (MII) CREATION 1996
METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING 1996
5TH METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “Metropolis for the People: Seeking Solidarity among World Citizens” 1996
Metropolis participates to the UNHABITAT II "CITY SUMMIT" and proposes the establishment of the World Association of Cities and Local Authorities Coordination (WACLAC) 1996

1997

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING 1997

1998

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING 1998
JOAN CLOS (BARCELONA) SUCCEEDS MICHEL GIRAUD (ÎLE-DE-FRANCE) AS PRESIDENT 1998

1999

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 1999
JOSEP ROIG MARTÍ is nominated METROPOLIS SECRETARY GENERAL 1999
6TH METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “A Network of Cities for World Citizens” 1999

2000

METROPOLIS’ REGIONAL SECRETARIES CREATION 2000
METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING 2000

2001

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING 2001

2002

7TH METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “Metropolitan Governance in the New Millennium” 2002

2003

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING 2003

2004

UCLG CREATION 2004
METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING 2004

2005

8TH METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “Tradition and Transformation. The Future of the City” 2005

2006

METROPOLIS EXTRAORDINARY ANNUAL MEETING 2006
METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING 2006

2007

1ST METROPOLIS WOMEN INTERNATIONAL NETWORK FORUM “Dynamic Cities Need Women” 2007
METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING 2007

2008

9TH METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “Connecting Cities” 2008

2009

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING 2009
2ND METROPOLIS WOMEN INTERNATIONAL NETWORK FORUM “Dynamic Cities Need Women: Visions and Challenges for a Women-Friendly City” 2009

2010

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING 2010

2011

10TH METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “Cities in Transition” 2011

2012

LAUNCH OF THE URBAN INNOVATION PROGRAM 2012
METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING “Innovation towards a Better Future” 2012

2013

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING “Caring Cities” 2013
3RD METROPOLIS WOMEN INTERNATIONAL NETWORK FORUM “Dynamic Cities Need Women: Women and Armed Conflict” 2013

2014

METROPOLIS INTERNATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE (MITI) OPENING 2014
2ND GUANGZHOU INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR URBAN INNOVATION 2014
11TH METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “Cities for All” 2014

2015

DENIS CODERRE SUCCEEDS JEAN-PAUL HUCHON (ÎLE-DE-FRANCE) AS PRESIDENT 2015
METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING “LIVE THE CITY” 2015
HABITAT III: THEMATIC MEETING ON METROPOLITAN AREAS 2015
FELIP ROCA SUCCEEDS ALAIN LE SAUX AS SECRETARY GENERAL 2015

2016

3RD GUANGZHOU INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR URBAN INNOVATION 2016
METROPOLIS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING 2016
PREPCITY#3 “Cities as Actors” – PRINCIPLES FOR BETTER CITIES 2016
METROPOLIS OBSERVATORY PROJECT LAUNCH 2016
METROPOLIS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING 2016

2017

12TH METROPOLIS WORLD CONGRESS “Global Challenges: Major Cities in Action” 2017

2018

METROPOLIS ANNUAL MEETING “Inclusive Metropolitan Cities and City-Regions” 2018
4TH GUANGZHOU INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR URBAN INNOVATION 2018
MICHAEL MüLLER (BERLIN) ASSUMES THE PRESIDENCY OF METROPOLIS ON AN INTERIM BASIS 2018
EXTRAORDINARY VIRTUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2018
THE WORLD METROPOLITAN DAY IS CELEBRATED FOR THE 1ST TIME 2018

2019

Metropolis Board of Directors meeting and II Policy Debate entitled “Civil Engagement in Changing Metropolises” (in the framework of UCLG Executive Bureau) 2019
FROM POLICY TRANSFER PLATFORM (PTP) TO URBAN SUSTAINABLE EXCHANGE (USE) PLATFORM 2019
LAUNCH OF THE DECENTRALIZED COOPERATION PROGRAM (EU DG DEVCO FUNDED) 2019

2020

LAUNCH OF THE CITIES FOR GLOBAL HEALTH PLATFORM 2020

Accountability & Reports