Governance

Governance Structure

In accordance with its Charter and Standard Operating Procedures, the governance and organisational structure of the Cities Alliance includes the Assembly, the Management Board, and the Secretariat.

• The Assembly
• The Management Board
• The Secretariat
   

The Assembly

The main function of the Cities Alliance Assembly is to serve as an effective global platform where a broad range of Cities Alliance members and partners will meet to engage on the main urban development issues. 

The Assembly will be open to new constituencies, including the private sector, foundations, universities and knowledge institutions – potentially bringing important new stakeholders into the partnership to better represent the changing dynamics of international aid. This process will be managed through the creation of a standing Membership Committee.

In addition, there are no more distinctions between national government members. While governments had previously been divided into “developed and developing”  or, more recently, “urbanising  or supporting” governments, they now will constitute a single constituency: national governments.

The Assembly is  chaired by an individual of global standing, to be selected by the members. It also takes over the function of the Policy Advisory Forum (PAF), which has been abolished. Instead, the Assembly may appoint Sr. Policy Advisors to advise the Assembly, Board and Secretariat for a mandate of three years, renewable once.

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The Management Board

The Management Board is responsible for decision making for the partnership. The board has a three-year term and comprises a maximum of 15 members. It is chaired by an independent and neutral chair, who can be selected from amongst Cities Alliance members or – for the first time – from outside of the Cities Alliance membership. 

The current Management Board (2016 - 2019) is chaired by Clare Short, former UK Cabinet Minister for Overseas Development.

Members of the Board

Ghana (Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development)

South Africa (National Department of Human Settlements)

Switzerland (Swiss State for Economic Affairs)

United Kingdom (Department for International Development)

United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)

ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability

Slum Dwellers International (SDI)

Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI)

Omidyar Network

Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)

United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat)

United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment)

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

UNOPS, the host and trustee of the Cities Alliance, is an ex-officio member.

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The Secretariat

The Secretariat, located in Brussels, Belgium, carries out the Cities Alliance Work Programme and manages its day-to-day operations.  A primary function of the Secretariat is to actively facilitate the participation of members in the activities of the organisation. It also provides appropriate services to its Members, and generally facilitates the work of the partnership.

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