Registrations are open for the Eurocities Conference 2026 ‘Sharing horizons, connecting people’, taking place in Utrecht on 8-10 June.

The Eurocities Annual Conference 2026 will mark the 40th anniversary of the network, celebrating four decades of collaboration between European cities and reaffirming their role as engines of democracy, peace, and innovation. Set in Utrecht, the conference will bring together mayors, city leaders, European institutions, and academics to reflect on past achievements and chart a shared urban vision for the coming decades.

Cities have always been spaces where diversity, innovation, and coexistence flourish. In a world marked by geopolitical tensions, climate crises, and digital disruption, cities continue to embody hope — places where collective life, cooperation, and creativity generate inclusive, sustainable, and peaceful societies.

What to expect?

In the main plenary session we’ll look back at how the role of cities in European governance has evolved since the 1980s and glance ahead, discussing how cities can defend peace and democracy, drive Europe’s response to climate and digital shifts, and ensure citizens remain central to Europe’s urban future.

Three thematic sessions will address the most pressing challenges for cities today:

• Cities leading the fight against poverty
• Cities driving climate action in a shifting Europe
• Financing Europe’s future: cities and the next EU budget

The conference will end with a Eurocities Mayors’ Summit, reaffirming the network’s role as a defender of democracy, solidarity, and city diplomacy. Discussions will focus on leadership, the rule of law, and the role of cities in strengthening democratic resilience and cross-border cooperation.

Join us