Prime Minister Lawrence Wong of Singapore launched a new Mayoral Fellowship programme during the World Cities Summit in Singapore this week.
The initiative aims to connect city leaders to share experiences and strategies. This cooperation is viewed as critical because city-level partnerships can maintain stability and progress even when national diplomatic relations are strained.
The programme was introduced during the 10th [1] edition of the World Cities Summit, which is taking place from 14 to 16 June 2026 [2]. The event serves as a global platform for urban leaders to address the challenges of modernization and sustainability.
Wong said that cooperation among cities matters more in a fragmented world [3]. By creating a formal network for mayors and urban administrators, the fellowship seeks to bridge gaps that may exist between different national governments.
The summit follows an official announcement made in a press release on May 5, 2026 [2]. The gathering focuses on the shared responsibility of urban centers to innovate in the face of global instability.
City leaders participating in the fellowship will have opportunities to exchange best practices on governance, and infrastructure. This approach recognizes that cities often face similar technical and social hurdles regardless of their geographic location or political alignment.
Singapore continues to position itself as a hub for international urban diplomacy. The fellowship represents a shift toward decentralized cooperation, allowing municipal leaders to drive international relations through practical, city-to-city engagement.
“Cooperation among cities matters more in a fragmented world”
The launch of the Mayoral Fellowship suggests a strategic move toward 'paradiplomacy,' where cities act as independent diplomatic actors. By fostering these ties, Singapore is creating a resilient network of urban governance that can bypass geopolitical tensions at the state level, ensuring that essential urban development and climate goals continue to advance despite broader international fragmentation.
