Dear LGMA Constituency Members and Partners,
2026 marks an important turning point in the journey of the LGMA Constituency. In this first bulletin of the year, we are pleased to share important updates on the LGMA Focal Point and the evolution of our governance model, led by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability as the LGMA Focal Point organization to the UNFCCC since 1995.
ICLEI has communicated to the UNFCCC Secretariat the transition of the LGMA Focal Point role from Mr. Yunus Arikan, ICLEI’s Director of Global Advocacy, to Ms. Ariel Dekovic, ICLEI’s Head of Communications and Engagement. At the same time, building on the strong collaboration developed across the Constituency in recent years, we are introducing a new collaborative governance model for the LGMA Constituency.
As part of this, ICLEI invited international LGMA organizations that have actively worked on the LGMA COP Positions in recent years to respond to the Terms of Reference for a new LGMA Steering Committee. We are proud to announce the eight networks that have stepped forward to serve on this body, which will guide the Constituency’s strategy, collaboration and shared advocacy throughout the year.
Alongside the Steering Committee, we will soon launch the 2026 LGMA Working Groups to strengthen thematic collaboration and support year-round engagement across key areas of the UNFCCC process. A constituency-wide consultation on the draft Terms of Reference will open from 20 March to 7 April, followed by a call for Expressions of Interest from 10 to 24 April. The Working Groups will be confirmed on 5 May, and we warmly encourage interested members and partners to take part in the process.
As outgoing and incoming LGMA Focal Points, we are proud of all that has been achieved together over the past 16 years of Yunus’ tenure. The Constituency’s growth in impact, visibility and influence has been made possible through the trust, support and collaboration of our members and partners, and through a coordinated, inclusive and strategic approach that we are committed to carrying forward.
We are confident that this next chapter will help the LGMA respond to a changing climate and political landscape – shaped, of course, by our past COP advocacy achievements, a new generation of NDCs, and growing pressures on multilateralism and international cooperation. We thank each and every member of the LGMA community and our partners for being part of this journey, and we look forward to continuing this shared work together in a new era for the Constituency.
Warmest regards,
Ariel Dekovic, ICLEI, LGMA Focal Point
Yunus Arikan, ICLEI, 2009-2025 LGMA Focal Point
Stay tuned at cities-and-regions.org, join our LGMA public briefings and check our bulletin archive for further updates.
