The 2018 Global Parliament of Mayors (GPM) summit officially opened on Monday 22nd morning with Bristol Mayor and GPM treasurer Marvin Rees welcoming all the mayors before a key note speech from Mayor Steve Benjamin of Columbia, South Carolina (USA). A summit that brought together 100 global city leaders, together with Business Leaders, Academics, Community Leaders and Civil Society to address some of the key global challenges facing our cities such as migration, public health, climate change, governance, urban security and inclusive economic growth through empowering cities to be the drivers of change.

Opening the summit, Mr Rees said: “Like many cities, Bristol faces the challenges of economic inequality, political disillusionment, worsening population physical and mental health, urban safety and the urgent need to tackle a housing crisis and climate change.”

Our director Sado Jirde attended both days and said "It was a privilege and honour to attend the summit. A highly stimulating, engaging and inspiring event discussing some of the pressing issues facing society today whilst seeking a collective approach to addressing them through cities taking leadership. In today’s polarised world, it was refreshing to see this kind of approach and most importantly the diversity of the mayors, especially women mayors from the African continent. Well done to Mayor Marvin Rees for leading the way and the rest of the team”

To read the full Bristol 24/7 article about the GPM 2018 summit, please see here.