MAYORS FOR DIGITAL COOPERATION (MDC)
The Global Digital Compact (GDC) outlines a shared vision of an inclusive, open, sustainable, fair, safe, and secure digital future for all. Urban areas are at the forefront of global digital transformation and play a key role in the GDC’s implementation.
The Mayors for Digital Cooperation (MDC) initiative’s mission is to localize and advance the GDC in cities through a global network of mayors.
Hosted by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in close collaboration with the United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (UN-ODET), the MDC initiative provides a new forum to drive global digital cooperation among cities and their mayors.
“Cities are engines of opportunity. When we place people at the centre, digital innovation can help drive fairness and sustainability for all.
Cities are now becoming digital spaces.
Let us ensure they are also inclusive, green and just.”
— United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, World Cities Day 2025
Credit: UN Photo/Mark Garten
Interested in joining the MDC initiative?
THE CASE FOR LOCAL DIGITAL COOPERATION
The urban digital world is one of divides. Just like across countries, the access and use of digital technologies is often unequal and segmented across income, ethnic, and neighbourhood lines.
Increased digital cooperation of local governments is a necessary tool for fostering economic growth in cities and improving the provision of public services at the local level.
Urban planning plays a significant role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 11 which focuses on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
Empowering digital inclusion at the local level is critical for leveraging the full benefits of digital technology for sustainable urban development.
SHOWCASING INSPIRING LOCAL LEADERSHIP
The 2025 Digital Cooperation Day (DCD) on 22 September, featured a session on “Localizing the Global Digital Compact — Mayors for Digital Cooperation & Empowering Country-Led Action for Digital Transformation”, showcasing the MDC initiative.
The first part of the session, co-hosted by the UN Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (UN-ODET) and UN-Habitat, convened the mayors Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr (Freetown) and Gina Ortiz Jones (San Antonio).
Moderated by Dave Amos (Assistant Professor of City Planning & Creator of City Beautiful), the two inspiring leaders explored how cities can learn from each other to harness the potential of digital technology and close digital divides.
THE CITIES DIGITAL INCLUSION TOOLKIT (CDIT)
The MDC initiative is developing a solution-oriented and globally scalable Cities Digital Inclusion Toolkit (CDIT). The CDIT contributes to closing digital divides through a better, data-driven understanding of the local level.
The CDIT integrates two key building blocks: (1) A “Digital Divide Assessment”, based on a framework by UN-Habitat; (2) The “Measures Explorer” showcasing innovative digital solutions in cities around the world.
Using CDIT, cities first conduct an interactive five-step assessment of their digital divide. Once their three priority areas for action are identified, cities are provided with a tailored set of relevant digital measures and existing best practices. This uniquely empowers them to directly address their gaps.
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Upcoming Events
World Urban Forum (WUF 13)
17–22 May 2026, Baku, Azerbaijan
To promote digital inclusion as a catalyst for housing and basic services, the mayors will convene at WUF13 with a special thematic focus on digital inclusion, housing, and basic services.
Credit: UN Habitat/ WUF