On 6 October 2025, Congress Secretary General Mathieu Mori spoke at the 5th session of the Forum of Mayors in Geneva, organised by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). In an exchange highlighting the critical condition of democracy today, Secretary General Mori emphasised the necessity to talk more about democratic security.  

“At the Council of Europe, we believe that we must respond to this loss of trust in democracy – or, others will, and they will not speak for our values,” Mr Mori underlined, adding that democratic erosion was an issue of high importance, and one which is not discussed enough. 

Mr Mori underlined the importance of the work done by the Council of Europe in solidifying the role of local and regional authorities in democracy, and the European Charter of Local Self-Government as a pillar, as the first legally binding instrument to protect the rights of local governments and local democracy.

Secretary General Mori emphasised the crucial nature of ensuring our policies and frameworks are in shape for guaranteeing democratic security, and welcomed in this regard UN Secretary General António Guterres’ proposals from the Pact for the Future to greater engage with local and regional authorities in the realisation of the 2030 Agenda. 

“We welcome the work done in the United Nations in order to create a structured dialogue with the local authorities,” emphasised Secretary General Mori. 

His intervention followed up on his statements in the 4th Forum of Mayors, welcoming the adoption of the Pact for the Future by the UN General Assembly and the important role of local and regional authorities in the delivery of a renewed multilateral system.   

Secretary General Mori noted the essential role of the Forum as an innovative, inclusive platform for local and regional authorities to share best practices, experiences and challenges, as a solid foundation of future positive developments to come in the context of empowering local and regional authorities.