The Global Alliance for Care at the UCLG World Congress 2026: Care at the Heart of Local Multilateralism
Throughout the 2026 UCLG World Congress and World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders, held from 22 to 25 June 2026 in Tangier, many conversations underscored the role of care in advancing more just, democratic, and sustainable societies.
As local and regional leaders from around the world gathered to discuss the future of public services and territorial governance, care emerged as a central theme in conversations about equality, resilience, and sustainable development. In this context, the Global Alliance for Care (GAC) played a key role in advancing care as a political priority within local multilateralism.
Held under the theme “A New Generation of Universal Local Public Services,” the Congress brought together more than 3,000 participants, including mayors, local and regional governments, civil society organizations, and international institutions. Across these discussions, care was increasingly recognized not as a peripheral social issue, but as essential infrastructure for sustaining life, communities, and economies.
Together with UCLG, member of the Global Alliance for Care, the GAC Technical Secretariat convened the Care Corner, a dedicated space for dialogue, exchange, and collective reflection inspired by the Care Pavilion initiative and the findings of the GOLD VII research process on Economies of Equality and Care.
The Care Corner became a vibrant hub throughout the Congress, showcasing experiences and knowledge from diverse territories and demonstrating how care-centered approaches can strengthen public services, improve local governance, and support more inclusive and resilient communities.
The Care Corner was inaugurated with opening remarks from Ana Moreno, Technical Secretary of the Global Alliance for Care, Pablo Fernández Marmissolle-Daguerre, Assistant Secretary-General for Partnerships at UCLG, and Nadine Gasman, Head of the Health Ministry in Mexico City and founder of the Alliance in 2021. In their remarks, they emphasized the urgent need to recognize care as social infrastructure and a cornerstone of territorial development
Throughout the week, members of the Alliance and strategic partners—including UCLG, FAMSI, Public Services International, RIPESS, Metropolis, Mercociudades, and local and regional governments—contributed to a dynamic care-related agenda, bringing the #VoicesofCare into global conversations on territorial transformation.
A major highlight was the roundtable “Caring Territories: Partnerships for Integrated Policies,” which brought together local governments, institutions, civil society, and other stakeholders to reflect on the role of territories in building integrated care systems. The discussion underscored that advancing care requires human rights-based approaches, co-responsibility, gender equality, and strong alliances across sectors and levels of governance.
The Technical Secretariat of the Alliance also hosted a breakfast with members and other stakeholders interested in the platform.The gathering offered an opportunity to connect, exchange updates, strengthen relationships, and explore future areas for collaboration. It also highlighted one of the Alliance’s core strengths: bringing together a diverse global community to advance collective action on care.
With more than 350 members spanning governments, civil society, academia, international organizations, and the private sector, the Global Alliance for Care continues to strengthen its role as a unique multistakeholder platform advancing the global care agenda.
Tangier reaffirmed that care is no longer a marginal issue in local and regional policy discussions. It is increasingly recognized as fundamental to building more equal societies, stronger communities, and sustainable futures.
Explore the GOLD VII Resources
The conversations held during the UCLG World Congress were informed by the GOLD VII Report: Economies of Equality and Care and its complementary resources, which bring together research findings, experiences, and multimedia content developed throughout the process.
We invite you to explore:
ℹ️ GOLD VII – Economies of Equality and Care
For the Alliance, participation in the UCLG World Congress represented more than institutional presence—it reflected growing momentum behind a global movement committed to placing care at the center of public policy and collective action.
Because care is a need.
Care is a right.
Care is a collective responsibility.
