More than 400 participants at Cités Unies France “Rencontres”
On July 8 and 9, 2026, Cités Unies France (CUF) organised the 17th edition of the “Rencontres” of local and regional governments international action (RAICT) at the Salons de l’Hôtel des Arts et Métiers in Paris. This latest edition, which brought together over 400 participants from more than 20 countries, reaffirms the event’s status as the essential annual meeting point for stakeholders involved in the international activities of local authorities.
Local elected officials, representatives from French and foreign local authorities, government agencies, national and international institutions, civil society organizations, academics, experts, and technical and financial partners gathered for two days to share experiences, debate major international issues, and jointly build the territorial partnerships of the future.
Designated as part of the “French G7 Presidency” initiative, this edition took place against an international backdrop marked by profound geopolitical shifts, multiple crises, and a questioning of established international balances. It provided an opportunity to reaffirm the vital role of local authorities as agents of international solidarity, territorial diplomacy, and sustainable development.
Centered on the theme “Local Authorities in the New World Order,” this edition fostered collective reflection on how local authorities can address contemporary challenges: conflicts, climate change, democratic crises, economic divides, migration, and energy and digital transitions.
Throughout the discussions, one conclusion became clear: in the face of weakening traditional multilateral frameworks and rising international tensions, local authorities stand out more than ever as grassroots actors capable of delivering concrete solutions rooted in cooperation, solidarity, and dialogue between peoples.
The debates provided an opportunity to analyse ongoing trends and identify the risks facing local areas, while also highlighting the significant scope for action available to local authorities to pursue and strengthen their international engagement.
Rocío Ballesta Orta intervened in the session dedicated to Education for Citizenship and International Solidarity (ECIS).
“In this context of a new world order, education for global citizenship and international solidarity (ECSI) is a key lever for grounding global realities at the local level,” she said.
PLATFORMA also organised two screenings of the documentary “One tree, one inhabitant – A story of building strong roots” on the PLATFORMAwards 2025 laureates, the department of Isère (France) and the Boundou Community Nature Reserve (Senegal).