The World Local and Regional Leaders gathered today for the opening of the third World Congress of UCLG in Mexico, from the 17th to the 20th November 2010, at the invitation of the Mayor of Mexico, Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon.

The Mayor of Mexico said he was honored to welcome this World Summit and « that it was inside cities that the fight against climate change and pollution and for clean sources of energy would be won. »

The President of United Cities and Local Governments and Mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoë, stressed the need for « the spirit of Mexico to inspire the three days of Congress, a spirit made of modernity, boldness, social justice and dignity in society and in the city. »

Patricia Espinoza Cantellano, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, insisted on the determination of participants to reach a succesful outcome at the climate negotiations to be held in Cancun 29 november-10 december 2010.

Key international personalities expressed their full support of the world´s cities and local governments during the opening ceremony. Dr. Rajendra K. Pachauri, Peace Nobel Price 2007 and President of the Intergovernmental Panel on the Evolution of Climate Change declared that « change would have to be led by cities » and asked for international funds to be established for these cities on the issue of climate change, and Joan Clos, Executive-Director of UN-Habitat, pointed out two major challenges for the future of cities : « the security and stability of local finances, and the need to conceive urban planification in a different manner. »