Urban development
Munich joins the Pact of Free Cities

With the signature of Mayor Dieter Reiter, the Bavarian capital Munich has officially joined the “Pact of Free Cities” today. This informal alliance unites progressive mayors committed to promoting and advancing values such as freedom and democracy.
The new partnership was announced today during a panel discussion at the Responsible Leaders Hub, part of the BMW Foundation’s program at the Munich Security Conference. The agreement was signed in the presence of Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, and Dávid Korányi, the special envoy for the Pact of Free Cities and moderator of the event. As a German partner city to Kyiv, Munich places special emphasis on actively supporting the Ukrainian capital during these challenging times. By joining the Pact, Mayor Dieter Reiter brings Munich into a network of 33 like-minded city leaders worldwide, dedicated to combating nationalist populism, tackling the climate crisis, inequality, and political tribalism, and upholding the principles of freedom and democracy. These ideals also strongly reflect the BMW Foundation’s goals. “In times when challenges to democracies are mounting globally, cities can play a pivotal role in safeguarding democratic values and standards,” said Kerstin von Aretin, Program Lead of the BMW Foundation’s RISE Cities initiative. “This is why the BMW Foundation launched the ‘RISE Cities’ program three years ago: to drive sustainable urban transformation in cross-sectoral collaboration with all stakeholders. We are proud that the BMW Foundation facilitated the connection between the Pact of Free Cities and the city of Munich, ultimately leading to Munich’s participation in this global network. We look forward to supporting the initiative and working with mayors around the world who champion the values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.” “We are excited that our home town of Munich officially joined the Pact of Free Cities within the framework of the BMW Foundation Responsible Leaders Hub at the Munich Security Conference in 2023,” said von Aretin. “Munich is not just a cradle of democracy; it is also a driving force for its stabilization and evolution. Because on the local level, societal change is felt the most as it directly affects peoples’ living conditions,” said Mayor Dieter Reiter. “Ultimately, it’s about enabling people to lead free and self-determined lives where they live. Only by doing so can we sustain, strengthen, and successfully defend our democracy against internal and external threats in the long term. … As powerhouses for the entire nation, cities serve as the foundation and role models for democratic governance. Our pragmatism, creativity, and diversity extend far beyond our countries’ borders. Us cities are increasingly embedded in global networks of culture, trade, and communication. These networks grow on the principle of collaboration and are spaces where problems are addressed at the root, that favor pragmatism over ideology, and see themselves as close-knit value-driven communities”, Reiter adds. About the Pact of Free Cities The Pact of Free Cities is an informal alliance of progressive mayors from across the political spectrum. Established in 2019 by the mayors of the four Visegrád capitals (Warsaw, Prague, Bratislava, and Budapest), the Pact now includes 33 like-minded city leaders from around the world. Its goals include promoting the values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, countering nationalist populism, and addressing major global challenges such as the climate crisis, inequality, and political tribalism. The Pact of Free Cities and the War in Ukraine From the outset of the conflict in Ukraine, the mayors of the Pact of Free Cities have taken a strong stance against the unlawful war. They signed a statement condemning the invasion, attended a crisis meeting in Warsaw on March 4 to share best practices for refugee support, and provided humanitarian aid to Ukrainian cities. Working in collaboration with civil society organizations and local residents, the mayors have made significant efforts to meet the needs of Ukrainians fleeing the war and to deliver financial and material support to Ukrainian cities. On September 26, 2022, Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko was officially welcomed as a Pact of Free Cities member.
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