RIPESS will actively participate in the UCLG World Congress, taking place from 22 to 25 June 2026 in Tangier—a strategic space to strengthen alliances among local governments, civil society, international networks and actors committed to people‑ and territory‑centred development.

Convened by UCLG, the Congress is the largest democratic assembly of the municipal movement worldwide, bringing together local and regional governments, community organisations, international institutions, academia and global partners under the theme: “A New Generation of Universal Local Public Services”. It is a key moment to rethink multilateralism from the territories, from our cities and from our communities.

RIPESS will bring to the Congress its vision of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE), which promotes life‑centred public services, community‑based care systems, inclusive territorial development and democratic, common‑good‑oriented financing. This participation reinforces the network’s commitment to a renewed multilateralism built from the territories, with the active involvement of communities, social movements and local governments.

RIPESS participation in the official programme

1. Conversation “Caring Territories – Right to the City and Solidarity Economies to Sustain Life”
Wednesday 24 June — 10:15–11:00
 Care Corner

Co-organised by: RIPESS – Intercontinental Network for the Promotion of the Social and Solidarity Economy and the Global Platform for the Right to the City (GPR2C).

The discussion will explore how care can be understood simultaneously as a human right, as a cornerstone of the Right to the City and as a pillar of the Social and Solidarity Economy. It will draw on the concepts of care societies and comprehensive care systems, which recognise the right to care for others, to be cared for and to look after oneself, based on shared responsibility between the State, the community and nature.

Speakers:

  • Ms Lorena Zárate, Co-coordinator, GPR2C
  • Ms Sandra Moreno, Executive Secretary, RIPESS

2. Dialogue “The Leadership of Local and Regional Governments in Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Development”
 Tuesday 23 June — 16:00–17:30
 Room A Mediterraneum (2nd floor)

Organised by: FAMSI and the UCLG Committee on Local Economic and Social Development.

The session will provide a forum for dialogue on the strategic role of local governments in transforming regional economies. The priorities for the Commission’s new political cycle and the seventh edition of the World Forum on Local Economic Development (WFLED) will be presented.

Panelists:

  • Introduction and moderation: Mr Francisco Toajas, UCLG Local Economic Development Committee
  • Mr Francisco Reyes, President of FAMSI
  • Ms Sharon Dijksma, Mayor of Utrecht and President of VNG
  • Mr Anthoni Berthelot, Mayor of Indre, Nantes Métropole
  • Representative of SALGA/Gauteng, South Africa
  • Ms Brittany Merrifield, Mayor of Grand Bay‑Westfield
  • Ms Sandra Moreno, Executive Secretary of RIPESS

At the end of the session, Mr Francisco Reyes and Ms Sandra Moreno will sign a cooperation agreement between FAMSI and RIPESS.

3. Roundtable “From Advocacy to Transformation & Delivery: Financing the Next Generation of Territorial Public Services”
 Wednesday 24 June — 16:30–18:00
 Room B Atlantic (2nd floor)

Organised by: Government of Catalonia, FMDV and UCLG

The session will examine how funding systems need to be transformed to enable local and regional governments to drive the next generation of territorial public services. Discussions will focus on fiscal frameworks, public development banks, climate finance, data systems and investments aimed at well-being and resilience.

Speakers:

  • Moderation: Mr Carlos de Freitas, FMDV
  • Mr Anthony Berthelot, Nantes Métropole
  • Mr Paul Smoke, New York University
  • Ms Elizabeth Arciniegas, CAF
  • Mr Jean‑Aloïse Biwolé, FEICOM
  • Mr Frédéric Blanc, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Mr Atte Oksanen, OECD
  • Representatives from BRICS, FPCL (Côte d’Ivoire), Yiwu (China), Brampton, etc.
  • Ms Sandra Moreno, Executive Secretary, RIPESS
  • Ms Patricia Silvia Morla, Villa Carlos Paz
  • Mr Dada Morero, Mayor of Johannesburg