MAYOR OF MYKOLAIV, UKRAINE TAKES SEAT ON BOARD OF THE GREATEST GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR CITY CLIMATE LEADERSHIP

Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych Appointed to the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM) Board of Mayors and Leaders to Champion Local Solutions at COP28 and Beyond 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (03 December) – Today at COP28, following the Local Climate Action Summit, the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) – the largest global alliance for city climate leadership – appointed Oleksandr Senkevych, Mayor of Mykolaiv, Ukraine to its Board of mayors and leaders. In his new role, Mayor Senkevych joins a historic coalition of leaders representing over 13,000 cities and local governments worldwide, all dedicated to supercharging global climate progress with ambitious local solutions.

The first-ever Global Stocktake at this year’s COP28 marks a pivotal moment for fostering multilevel partnerships between local and national governments to accelerate climate action, offering a key opportunity to reinvigorate global climate efforts. In this spirit, representing Mykolaiv and the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region, Mayor Senkevych will serve as an ambassador for ongoing local climate action in the region and beyond. Collaborating with GCoM’s leadership, Mayor Senkevych will help empower global cities to build on this crucial momentum and work in tandem with national governments to not only meet but surpass their most ambitious targets under the Paris Agreement.

Mayor Senkevych has been Mykolaiv’s Mayor since 2015, earning reelection for a second term in November 2020. Throughout his tenure, Senkevych has effectively collaborated with the Ukrainian government, international state organizations, and financial institutions. His main focus has been on reducing energy poverty by enhancing energy security and efficiency, as well as strengthening urban infrastructure sustainability and resilience. Notably, Mayor Senkevych navigated the formidable challenge of preserving the city’s energy infrastructure and water supply during Russia’s war against Ukraine. 

“Even in the midst of a brutal war in defense of freedom and democracy, Mayor Senkevych is finding ways to lead the battle against climate change, too,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies. “His determined leadership will strengthen the Global Covenant of Mayors and its work at the COP28 Local Climate Action Summit — and beyond.”

“Climate change and biodiversity loss are disrupting communities across the globe, and local leaders know there is no time to waste in acting in the face of this urgent crisis,” said Maroš Šefčovič, European Commission Executive Vice President for the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight. “Confronting this huge challenge while fighting back the brutal war of aggression by Russia is remarkable. I warmly congratulate Mayor Senkevych on his steady direction on climate challenge in particularly difficult circumstances, and his well-deserved appointment to the Global Covenant of Mayors Board of Mayors and Leaders.”

“I am honored to join this motivated group of local leaders committed to building a more resilient society and improving the quality of life of communities around the world,” said Oleksandr Senkevych, Mayor of Mykolaiv, Ukraine. “I look forward to bringing my knowledge and unique experiences to this group and working together to accelerate climate and energy progress for a greener and healthier future.”

About the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM)

GCoM is the largest global alliance for city climate leadership, uniting a global coalition of over 13,000 cities and local governments and 100+ supporting partners. The cities and partners of GCoM share a long-term vision of supporting voluntary action to combat climate change and towards a resilient and low-emission society. GCoM serves cities and local governments by mobilizing and supporting ambitious, measurable, planned climate and energy action in their communities by working with city/regional networks, national governments, and other partners to achieve our vision. The coalition comprises cities across 6 continents and 144 countries, representing over 1 billion people or more than 13 percent of the global population.

To learn more about GCoM, please visit our website, or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.