Mayors gather in Brussels to showcase how local climate leadership is securing Europe’s future

The EU Covenant of Mayors Ceremony on 16 October highlighted the vital partnership between the EU and its cities and towns to deliver a better future for Europe, with hundreds of mayors, local councillors and regional leaders coming from across Europe to reiterate their ongoing commitment to the EU’s resilient and climate-neutral future. 

Opened by Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament,  Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Kata Tüttő, President of the European Committee of the Regions, the event brought together European and local leaders to discuss how local governments’ climate commitments and concrete actions to advance the clean energy transition play a key role in preparing Europe for the future – one that is affordable, prosperous, and crisis-ready.

Since its launch in 2008, the EU Covenant of Mayors initiative has mobilised over 10,000 cities and towns of all sizes to commit to the EU’s climate and energy goals, demonstrating how local leadership and bottom-up climate action is driving forward the EU’s bold agenda while leaving no community behind.

The Ceremony also hosted the 2025 Covenant of Mayors Awards, recognising three cities’ achievements in decarbonising heating and cooling: Domokos (Greece), Lappeenranta (Finland) and Mechelen (Belgium).

• Read the full Covenant of Mayors news article
• Photos and video from the event

Quotes:

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission: "Sustainability is not only about cutting emissions and adapting to change. It’s also about building places that are pleasant to live in. You are working on that every single day, and Europe is here with you to make it happen." 

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament: "Europe isn’t a distant idea. It begins locally in your cities, your towns, your neighbourhoods. It’s something we are building together every single day. I thank you for leading, for caring for communities, for showing that Europe works when it’s close to your communities. And for continuing your work, even when it’s not easy."

Kata Tüttő, President of the European Committee of the Regions: "What I have learned in my experience as Deputy Mayor and City Councillor in Budapest is that resilience means more than just surviving crises. It is also about transforming them into opportunities for lasting change. We’ve learned that empowering citizens, investing in green infrastructure, and embracing digital innovation are key to building a city that is not only prepared for the future, but actively shaping it. Our journey is proof that bold, people-centred leadership can turn challenges into momentum. The Covenant allows us to listen to each other's stories and to draw inspiration from success, learning from failure, and building a community of mutual support. As a European assembly of local leaders, the Committee of the Regions is committed to deliver on the Covenant’s goals and on our institutional cooperation.”