From Community Resilience to Global Solutions: Vinnytsia Takes Part in the Urban7 Summit in Nancy

Energy resilience, water supply and forging new partnerships. On 3 and 4 June 2026, the Urban7 International Mayors’ Summit took place in Nancy, France—a twin city of Vinnytsia—focusing on the role of cities in addressing global challenges through democratic governance, sustainable urban transformation and international cooperation. A key highlight of the summit was the adoption of the Nancy Declaration Urban7 – a joint policy document by mayors and city representatives from G7 countries and partner nations, containing specific operational recommendations for addressing crisis situations – security, energy, social integration, infrastructure and trust in democracy.

'This year, the Urban7 summit officially became part of the G7 process for the first time. In effect, this marks a new level of influence for cities in global decision-making. After all, it is cities that today bear the brunt of the challenges: security, infrastructure resilience, energy, social integration, economic recovery and the upholding of democracy. And that is precisely why the voice of cities has begun to be formally included on the G7 agenda. The adoption of the Urban7 ‘Nancy Declaration’ was a landmark event. This is the first document through which city mayors have formally addressed the leaders of the G7 countries. I had the honour of signing this document. It is particularly important that supporting and rebuilding Ukrainian cities is among its priorities,' noted Serhii Morhunov, Mayor of Vinnytsia.

In fact, the approved declaration was officially handed over to the French G7 Presidency ahead of the leaders’ summit in Evian on 15–17 June. In terms of content, the declaration focuses on several key areas:

• the resilience of cities and democracy;
• security and territorial resilience;
• environmental transition and climate policy;
• social cohesion;
• the role of cities in global governanc;
• international city partnership;
• the reconstruction of Ukrainian cities and support for Ukraine.

The two-day event brought together mayors, city representatives, politicians and international stakeholders to discuss the future of sustainable and democratic cities. Representatives from cities in the US, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Ukraine and other countries gathered in Nancy. Participants also included representatives from various institutions with community support programmes – UN-Habitat, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Association for Local Democracy in Europe (ALDA), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the international network ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, the Global Parliament of Mayors, Bloomberg Philanthropies and other international organisations and partner institutions.

One of the key themes of the summit was support for Ukrainian cities which, despite the challenges of war, continue to provide services to residents, sustain the economy and implement development projects, noted Vinnytsia Mayor Serhii Morhunov.

Discussions centred on issues of urban resilience and the adaptation of communities to the realities of war. Mayors of Ukrainian cities shared their experiences of maintaining the continuous operation of critical systems and developing their territories amidst constant threats.

During the discussion, Serhii Morhunov outlined Vinnytsia’s experience in sustainability and development, and highlighted water supply as a key component of the community’s strategic security, given that Ukraine’s water utilities, as part of critical infrastructure, remain vulnerable to russian attacks. This is precisely why Vinnytsia is working to engage international partners to modernise water treatment systems, increase their energy independence and security, so that community residents and internally displaced persons can receive high-quality and uninterrupted services even in wartime.

'A significant proportion of critical infrastructure was built back in the 1960s–1980s and now requires comprehensive modernisation. Together with our international partners, in particular the Mayor of Nancy, Mathieu Klein, and the Mayor of Karlsruhe, Frank Mentrup, we are working to develop a long-term strategy for upgrading these systems. This requires both modern expertise and significant financial resources. That is precisely why we are actively cooperating with international financial institutions and partners who are helping us move towards this goal,' emphasised Serhii Morhunov.

He also added that it is important for Ukraine that the issue of supporting and revitalising Ukrainian cities has been raised as a major topic of discussion involving Ukrainian mayors, international organisations and European partners.

'The world is changing very rapidly. And today, a strong city is one that has the ability to be part of international decisions, to find partnerships, to attract resources and to build trust,' he emphasised.

Nancy’s mayor, Mathieu Klein, noted that the Urban7 summit promotes a simple yet crucial idea: global challenges can only be overcome if cities are fully recognised as participants in the international decision-making process.

'It is a great honour and source of pride for us to host such an event in Nancy, to see how, for a few days, our city has become one of the venues where part of the world’s future is being discussed and shaped. We are delighted that the voice of cities, particularly Ukrainian ones, has been heard here with confidence, conviction and ambition, and that we have been able to showcase our region and its achievements in many areas,' said Mathieu Klein.

During one of the panel discussions, the Mayor of Toulouse, Jean-Luc Moudenc, emphasised the importance of cities’ role in overcoming contemporary challenges and stressed that it is precisely the local level that is increasingly becoming the arena for finding effective solutions in times of global change.

'A city’s resilience does not arise on its own. It is always the result of partnerships – between cities, states, international institutions, business, academics and civil society. For us, sustainability is not just the ability to overcome crises and recover from upheavals. It is the ability to maintain unity, uphold democracy and develop society even in the most difficult times. That is precisely why, today, responses to global challenges are increasingly emerging at the local level, and the role of cities in the modern world is becoming decisive,' said Jean-Luc Moudenc, Mayor of Toulouse.