At the Eurocities Conference 2025 in Braga, two deeply moving moments brought into sharp focus the importance of solidarity and shared democratic values across Europe’s cities.
First, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed mayors and city representatives live from the city of Kyiv. Then, the Eurocities network paid tribute to Ekrem İmamoğlu, Istanbul’s illegally imprisoned mayor, in a powerful show of support.
Both moments served as a reminder that local governments are not only engines of transformation in their own communities, they are also defenders of democracy, peace, and human dignity.
Zelenskyy: “Thank you for standing with Ukraine”
Speaking via video link from the 3rd International Summit of Cities and Regions in Kyiv, President Zelenskyy addressed over 400 delegates gathered in Braga.
“I want to thank you for your unity and for standing with Ukraine, and therefore with all of Europe,” he said. “Our continent has built its strength in just this way: through unity, peaceful cooperation, and the extraordinary resilience of European cities and regions.”
He praised the support provided by cities across Europe, from hosting refugees to rebuilding bombed infrastructure and providing energy equipment during Ukraine’s harshest winters. “Together, we have restored hundreds of infrastructure facilities,” he said. “This cooperation, especially between regions and cities, is vital.”
Zelenskyy also spoke of cultural and civic solidarity: “You’ve shown continued support and understanding, especially of the fact that Ukraine will become a full-fledged member of the European Union.”
A commitment to ongoing support
Burkhard Jung, outgoing President of Eurocities and Mayor of Leipzig, reaffirmed European cities’ unwavering commitment, stating: “We will continue to support you for as long as it takes to achieve the sustainable reconstruction of Ukrainian cities.”
Jung highlighted the Eurocities Awards 2025 City Heroes Award presented to Ihor Terekhov, Mayor of Kharkiv, for his outstanding leadership in keeping essential services running for 1.3 million people under constant shelling.
Speaking from the International Summit of Cities and Regions in Kyiv, Eirik Lae Solberg, Governing Mayor of Oslo, added a heartfelt message. “Your cities are not only surviving, they are becoming symbols of hope and determination across Europe. Your fight is also our fight,” he said.
He called on European cities to keep providing solidarity, technical cooperation, and long-term partnerships grounded in shared democratic values.
Istanbul’s Mayor honoured in absentia
In another powerful moment, a special recognition award was presented to the representatives of Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul, who remains unjustly imprisoned in Turkey.
Speaking on Mayor İmamoğlu’s behalf, Ahmet Aras, Mayor of Mugla and President of the Coastal Aegean Municipalities Union, stated: “This recognition sends a clear message of solidarity from Europe. It stands for justice and democratic values in our country.”
In a recorded message, Mayor İmamoğlu addressed the audience. “I speak to you from behind prison walls, not because I committed any crime, but because I dared to pursue a vision, a city that is inclusive, creative, green, and just,” he declared.
“From Paris to Bologna, from Braga to Brussels, you have spoken not only my name, but the name of justice. Cities do matter. They are where courage meets creativity, where social justice becomes tangible, where we replace polarisation with the common good.”
İmamoğlu ended with a call to remain united: “Let us never tire of defending peace and justice, in our cities and in our world.”
Mayor Aras extended an invitation to Eurocities to visit Istanbul in a show of continued support.
Mathias De Clercq, Mayor of Ghent and newly elected Eurocities President, concluded that cities must remain firm in defending European democracy. “That means standing with the people of Ukraine and continuing to call for the release of Mayor İmamoğlu. As a network, we must uphold human rights and dignity, everywhere,” he made clear.
A new presidency for Eurocities
Mathias De Clercq formally accepted the presidency of Eurocities during the conference, thanking his predecessor Burkhard Jung for four years of impactful leadership. “Cities are not just part of the answer. We are leading the way forward,” De Clercq said, outlining his vision for a stronger role for cities in shaping Europe’s future.
He called for a formal and strategic dialogue between mayors and EU leaders and advocated for more direct funding and recognition of cities’ contributions at EU level.
Promising to be “active, visible and flexible,” he committed to using Ghent’s proximity to Brussels to amplify the voice of cities and support a socially just, green transition across Europe.
Young leaders take the stage in Braga
One of the standout initiatives at this year’s conference was the Young City Shapers programme, which brought together young leaders from across Europe to contribute to the future of urban democracy.
Organised by Eurocities and Ricardo Rio, Mayor of Braga, the programme gave young leaders aged 18-29 from across Europe the opportunity to explore city initiatives and meet with city mayors and policymakers.
In a dedicated political session, the young participants met with mayors attending the conference to discuss how cities can better include young people in decision-making.
Ideas included youth councils, participatory budgeting, and more inclusive engagement practices. One young voice from Nantes summed it up: “Young people often see engagement as a right and a choice, in contrast to older generations who may view it as a duty, highlighting the need to rethink how we connect with citizens.”
Eileen O’Sullivan, Deputy Mayor of Frankfurt, shared her own experience of being underestimated in formal politics and stressed the need for real pathways to civic engagement. “We must not wait for young people to make space — we must actively offer it,” she told the gathered mayors.
Other young voices highlighted the importance of empowering youth not symbolically, but meaningfully, giving them real responsibility and influence over decisions and budgets.
Farewell from Burkhard Jung
In his final address, outgoing President Burkhard Jung looked back on his years at the helm of Eurocities. “These four years, first as Vice President, then President, have been amazing, ambitious, challenging, and, I hope, successful,” he said.
A key focus of his presidency, he noted, was the defence of democracy. “Promoting European democratic values and protecting our democratic institutions has been one of my key priorities,” he said, referencing the Upgrading Local Democracy conference held in Leipzig earlier this year and the Eurocities Leipzig declaration on local democracy as important milestones for the network.
He closed with confidence in his successor: “I know that with Mathias De Clercq and all of you, Eurocities is in good hands.”
Looking ahead: Utrecht 2026
As the conference closed, Eurocities President Mathias De Clercq announced that the 2026 Eurocities Conference will take place in Utrecht, marking the network’s 40th anniversary.
A video message from Sharon Dijksma, Mayor of Utrecht, invited cities to come together in the Netherlands: “In today’s turbulent times, strong collaboration is more important than ever,” stated Mayor Dijksma. “Let’s celebrate our shared success, and begin another 40 years of working together.”
Ricardo Rio, Mayor of Braga, ended the conference with a strong message of unity and resilience. “We are talking about people and what we want is to make Europe great for all,” said Mayor Rio.
“Eurocities and its member cities will continue to work together to ensure Europe is a land of opportunities, growth and prosperity for everyone.”
__________
- Watch the video address to the Eurocities Conference from Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.
- View all of the photos from the Eurocities Conference 2025. If you would like to use a photo, please mention the copyright is Eurocities.
- Read about the discussions at the conference’s opening plenary, where mayors called for a new EU-cities partnership.
- Find out which cities and local leaders won the Eurocities Awards 2025.
- Read our press release announcing the new President and Vice President of Eurocities.
