27. Jun 2016

“Together, cities can and will shape the century ahead“

“Together, cities can and will shape the century ahead“. A joint statement of solidarity by the Paris Mayor Ms. Anne Hidalgo and London Mayor Mr. Sadiq Kahn. Photo.
“Together, cities can and will shape the century ahead“. A joint statement of solidarity by the Paris Mayor Ms. Anne Hidalgo and London Mayor Mr. Sadiq Kahn

In the aftermath of the EU referendum in the UK, the Mayor of Paris, Ms. Anne Hidalgo, and the Mayor of London, Mr. Sadiq Kahn, emphasise the importance of cities working together globally. 

Does the road to changing the world go through City Hall? was a key issue raised when Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo welcomed 55 ICORN cities to Hôtel de Ville a couple of months ago, to celebrate the 10 years anniversary and open the GA of ICORN. Ms. Hidalgo underlined her city’s strong commitment to ICORN’s core values; freedom of expression, solidarity, creativity and hospitality.

Anne Hidalgo at the opening of the ICORN General Assembly 2016 in Paris City Hall. ©H.Garat JB. Gurliat. Photo.

In her joint statement with London Mayor Sadiq Kahn, she reconfirms her belief in the city as an agent for change. ICORN Executive Director says: 

“We are delighted that Ms. Anne Hidalgo continues to stress the importance of cities as main agents for human rights and democracy when teaming up with London Mayor Sadiq Khan after the Brexit referendum. Let’s hope he will follow the example of Ms. Hidalgo and mayors of amongst others Amsterdam, Barcelona, Brussels, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Ljubljana and Mexico City, making London an ICORN city of refuge for writers and artists at risk.”

London and Paris’ StatementMayors of London and Paris' statement after the EU referendum. Photo.

“London and Paris. There is so much that unites our two great cities. Shared history, shared culture, shared challenges and the shared experience of being one of just a handful of truly global cities. And despite the outcome of the EU referendum, our two cities must now work more closely together than ever before in order to deliver on our shared agendas.

If the nineteenth century was defined by Empires and the twentieth century by nation-states, the twenty-first century belongs to cities. Cities are innovating and leading global action in area after area. From supporting economic growth and enterprise, to tackling air pollution, moving to clean energy or dealing with the pressures of rapid population growth – it is cities that are leading the charge. In cities we celebrate our diversity and see our differences as a great source of strength. Our cities are places where everyone, whatever their background, can feel at home.

As the Mayors of London and Paris, we are today committing to work ever more closely together  in order to build far stronger alliances between cities across Europe and around the world. Together, we can act as a powerful counterweight to the lethargy of nation states and to the influence of industrial lobbies. Together, we can and will shape the century ahead.”