Fernando Grey, the mayor of Esteban Echeverría, Argentina, has been elected as the new president of Mercociudades, a prominent network of 400 local governments spanning 11 countries in the Americas and beyond. This influential organization represents over 120 million people and focuses on fostering collaboration and advancement among its member cities.
Gray’s inauguration took place during the 29th Mercociudades summit,held in Esteban Echeverría. The event drew 87 mayors and representatives from major cities across Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, Senegal, and France, as well as officials from European Union organizations.
In his acceptance speech, Gray emphasized the need for global cooperation to address pressing challenges facing humanity. “We must work side by side to achieve a new global governance architecture with a more equitable redistribution of power, which allows us to respond to the climatic, social, economic, institutional and violence emergencies that humanity faces today,” he stated.
Gray, who was accompanied by Ricardo Luis Reis Nunes, the outgoing president of Mercociudades and mayor of São Paulo, Brazil, further highlighted the importance of building more just and sustainable cities. “We have to continue working to forge more just, inclusive, sustainable, resilient and democratic cities, towns and territories,” he said. “I am extremely grateful for all the ideas and contributions that have nourished our work days based on the exchange in each of the thematic unit meetings.”
“We Mercocities must strengthen ourselves to achieve greater visibility of the needs of our region, embracing the 2030 Agenda and its sustainable development objectives. We must fight for a more just, sensitive, habitable and safe Latin america for all identities,” Gray added.
Looking ahead, Gray expressed his commitment to celebrating Mercociudades’ 30th anniversary in 2025. “in November 2025, the Mercociudades will turn 30 years old and we will have the honor of being able to celebrate this great milestone for Latin American municipalism at the service of peace, the common good, inclusion, harmony with the environment and resilience,” he said.”For this reason, I wish to praise the role of local governments, which, voluntarily, come together to work in cooperation for a safer future and a more habitable planet for present and future generations.”
Gray also highlighted the network’s growth, noting that membership has expanded from around 300 cities in 2021 to 380 today, with 15 more cities set to join during this summit. “Let’s continue to advance as a network and convene more local governments. Let us continue working with the commitment to forge ties of parity and horizontality between genders, generations, ethnicities and cultures in all areas of community life,” he concluded.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by a distinguished group of international dignitaries, including Ricardo Luis Reis Nunes, Prefect of São Paulo; Rodrigo Neves Barret, Prefect of Niterói; Ary Vanazzi, Prefect of São Leopoldo (Brazil); Marcelo Metediera, Mayor of Canelones; Fabiana Goyeneche, Director of International Relations and Cooperation of Montevideo (Uruguay); Abdoulaye Timbo, Mayor of Pikine (Senegal); Hassan Hmani, Deputy Mayor of Nanterre (France); Juan Pablo Poletti, mayor of Santa Fe (Argentina); and representatives from other Latin American cities within the Mercociudades network.
## A Global Agenda: Mercociudades Sets its Sights on teh Future with New president Fernando Gray
**World Today News Exclusive Interview**
Esteban Echeverría, argentina – Fernando Grey, the newly elected president of Mercociudades, sat down with World Today News following his inauguration at the 29th Mercociudades summit. The prestigious network, representing over 400 local governments and 120 million people across the Americas, Africa, and Europe, is uniquely positioned to address pressing global challenges.
**World Today News:** Mr. Grey, congratulations on your election. Mercociudades represents a diverse range of cities and nations. What are the priorities for you as president in navigating these complexities?
**Fernando Grey:** Thank you. This is a great honor, and I am humbled by the trust placed in me by my peers. Mercociudades has always been a champion of collaboration and understanding. my priority is to strengthen these bonds, recognizing that the challenges we face, from climate change to economic inequality, transcend national borders.Only through collaborative action can we build a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
**World today News:** During your acceptance speech, you highlighted the need for global cooperation. Can you elaborate on the role Mercociudades can play in achieving this?
**Fernando Grey:** Mercociudades provides a vital platform for dialog and knowledge sharing. We bring together diverse voices from across the Americas and beyond, fostering partnerships between cities, experts, and organizations. This allows for the exchange of best practices, innovative solutions, and a unified, impactful voice on the global stage.
**World Today News:** The summit brought together delegates from Europe and Africa, highlighting Mercociudades’ expanding reach. How do you envision this continued globalization shaping the institution’s future?
**Fernando Grey:** Expanding our membership beyond the Americas reflects the interconnectedness of our world. It allows us to learn from different experiences and develop more comprehensive solutions. We are committed to building bridges across continents, working together to address shared challenges and create a truly global network of innovative and sustainable cities.
**World today News:** What specific initiatives or projects are you most excited about pursuing as president?
**Fernando Grey:** We have several exciting initiatives underway, focusing on climate action, sustainable urban development, and equitable economic growth. Our “Cities for Climate Leadership” program aims to empower cities to implement ambitious climate action plans. The “Inclusivity and Economic Empowerment” initiative focuses on promoting equitable access to opportunities and resources for all citizens.
**World Today News:** how do you see Mercociudades evolving over the next few years?
**Fernando Grey:** I envision Mercociudades becoming a global leader in shaping sustainable and inclusive cities. Through continued collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to social justice, we will play a crucial role in addressing the most pressing challenges of our time and building a brighter future for generations to come.
