Translated by Andrés Martínez Forero
Bogotá, Colombia — Carlos Fernando Galán, Mayor of Bogotá, has been appointed to the Mayors Migration Council (MMC)’s Leadership Board, the organization announced today. The governing body provides strategic direction to the Mayors Migration Council, a mayor-led coalition that accelerates ambitious global action on migration and displacement to create a world where urban migrants, displaced people, and receiving communities can thrive.
Also read: Bogotá Views Migration as a Developmental Asset for the City
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Elected as Mayor of Bogotá in 2023, Galán leads a city that has become a primary destination for Venezuelan migrants, with approximately 600,000 now residing in the capital. Upon taking office in 2024, he prioritized bold migration solutions, building on existing policies to make Bogotá a leader in supporting Venezuelan migrants. This includes Centros Intégrate, launched in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development and the UN Migration Agency, which provides essential services—legal aid, healthcare, education, and employment support—while helping migrants apply for Temporary Protection Permits and access psychosocial support. His administration also extended the Centro de Apoyo Nutricional, Bogotá’s first nutrition center for migrant children and their caretakers, originally launched with seed funding from the MMC’s Global Cities Fund for Migrants and Refugees.
"Colombia has earned international recognition for welcoming over two million migrants with dignity and opportunity. Cities like Bogotá have been at the forefront of this response, providing new arrivals with housing, jobs, healthcare, and, most importantly, a sense of belonging," Mayor Galán said. "As a member of the Mayors Migration Council’s Leadership Board, I am eager to share our experiences, amplify the voices of Latin American mayors in global discussions, and champion bold, coordinated action to ensure that migrant and displaced communities are supported across the world."
Mayor Galán is also actively serving in leadership positions of several city alliances, including the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, a coalition to further climate action in more than 100 cities across the world.
In his new leadership role, Mayor Galán will ensure that the MMC’s mission and mandate are driven by and responsive to the needs of cities across the globe. He joins an esteemed group of visionary mayors on MMC’s Leadership Board:
- Yousef Al Shawarbeh, Mayor of Amman, Jordan
- Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Erias Lukwago, Mayor of Kampala, Uganda
- Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan, Italy
- Valérie Plante, Mayor of Montréal, Canada
- Ron Nirenberg, Mayor of Mayor of San Antonio, United States
- Corine Mauch, Mayor of Zürich, Switzerland
“We’re thrilled to welcome Mayor Galán to our Leadership Board," said Vittoria Zanuso, Executive Director of the MMC. "His innovative approach in Bogotá redefines how cities can turn migration into opportunity. His leadership will be crucial as we push for cities to take a more inclusive role in shaping global migration policy amid today’s polarized and turbulent political landscape."
Check out below a post on the social network X by Mayors Migration Council (MMC), about the appointment of Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán as a member of the Board of Directors of this organization:
We're thrilled to welcome Bogotá's Mayor @CarlosFGalan to the @MayorsMigration#LeadershipBoard! 🎉 With a focus on socioeconomic inclusion and migrant inclusion, @Bogota is set to lead the way in transforming migration into an opportunity for growth 👉 https://t.co/EnKsI8oH8wpic.twitter.com/wpe8UOIel5
— Mayors Migration Council (@MayorsMigration) September 19, 2024
Mayor Galán will begin his appointment by joining the MMC’s Leadership Board at its Annual Meeting on September 23 to shape the MMC’s future vision and 2025-2030 Business Plan. Additionally, the MMC will convene mayors and partners on the sidelines of the United Nations Summit of the Future in New York City. Held during the 79th General Assembly, the Summit seeks to restore trust in the international system, tackling key issues like financing for development and reforming global governance. Next week, Mayor Galán and fellow MMC Leadership Board members will contribute their expertise to these high-level discussions, engaging with world leaders, donors, and experts to advocate for bold action on climate migration, regional migration pathways, migrant reception, and more. Learn more about the planned events here [link forthcoming].
For more information about the Mayors Migration Council, visit www.mayorsmigrationcouncil.org. For press inquiries, including to connect with Mayor Galán about his appointment, contact Cynthia Nahhas, Communications Associate, at the Mayors Migration Council, at cnahhas@mayorsmigrationcouncil.org or at +1 (917) 246-2586.
About Carlos Galán
Carlos Galán was first elected mayor of Bogotá, Colombia in 2023 (2024-2027 term). Mayor Galán has prioritized initiatives that enhance urban mobility, improve public safety, and foster inclusive economic development. Under his early leadership, Galán has focused heavily on enhancing security measures aimed at reducing crime rates, while advancing existing social programs on education and health services. Before becoming mayor, Galán served in various roles within Colombia's political landscape, including as a former senator. Mayor Galán holds a degree in International Service with a focus on International Economics from Georgetown University (2001). He pursued further specialization in Government, Management, and Public Affairs at Universidad Externado de Colombia and completed postgraduate studies in International Affairs at Columbia University.
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About the Mayors Migration Council
The Mayors Migration Council (MMC) is a mayor-led coalition that accelerates ambitious global action on migration and displacement to create a world where urban migrants, displaced people, and receiving communities can thrive. To achieve our mission, we provide mayors with advocacy, coordination, and communications support to influence policy decisions at the national and international level, and connect city governments to the knowledge, technical, and financial resources they need to accelerate and scale local solutions.
Created by mayors for mayors, the MMC is guided by a Leadership Board of global city leaders and operates with the institutional support of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the IKEA Foundation, the Open Society Foundations, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and the Robert Bosch Stiftung, in addition to other donors.
The MMC is managed under the oversight of the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA), a 501(c)(3) public charity in the United States.
Read the MMC’s 2023 Impact Report for more background.
To learn more visit www.mayorsmigrationcouncil.org or follow us on X, Facebook and LinkedIn.
