In April 2025, over 400 mayors and local government representatives from 35 countries gathered in Hué, Vietnam, for the 45th Annual Congress of the International Association of Francophone Mayors (AIMF). Hosted in a UNESCO World Heritage city renowned for its commitment to climate resilience, the congress provided a critical platform for city leaders to share solutions and design a path toward more sustainable urban futures.

One of the key outcomes of the event was the launch of L’Appel de la Forêt or The Call of the Forest, a powerful collective commitment to protect and restore the world’s forests and natural ecosystems. This declaration encourages cities to take bold action by placing forests and mangroves at the core of their urban development, climate adaptation, and sustainability strategies. The declaration will be formally presented at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, marking a major step forward in aligning urban leadership with global climate goals.

We were honored to be represented at the Congress by Michael Southwood, Cities4Forests team member and trained urban planner, who delivered remarks on behalf of our global network of over 100 cities. Michael brought an essential perspective on the interconnectedness of forests and cities, emphasizing that these ecosystems are not separate, but deeply interdependent.

“L'Appel de la Forêt is greatly  important and timely. It is an opportunity for leaders to make an outward declaration of their commitment to protect our planet’s forests. It is an opportunity for leaders to recognize their respective impacts on forests, and commit to change their practices in order to place the forest at the heart of their concerns. And, it is an opportunity for leaders to demonstrate their willingness to act and mobilize citizens, along with public and private stakeholders, to adopt practices and policies to protect, develop, and promote sustainable forest exploitation.”

Michael’s participation underscored the urgency and opportunity for cities to lead by example. He highlighted how Cities4Forests works with member cities to design and implement pilot projects that demonstrate the value of integrating forests into urban planning, from climate mitigation to public health to green infrastructure. He also shared how L’Appel de la Forêt builds on past efforts, such as the Call to Action on Forests and Climate that Cities4Forests launched with 55 cities at COP26.

This moment in Hué signals  the growth and strengthening of a movement of mayors and municipal leaders who recognize forests as critical infrastructure for urban and planetary well-being.

Join the movement to protect our forests.

L’Appel de la Forêt illustrates a commitment to placing forests and mangroves at the heart of your city’s sustainability and climate agenda. Your signature is more than symbolic, it signals your readiness to act, to lead, and to collaborate in building a more resilient, inclusive, and forest-positive future.

The declaration is available in French and English here.

The declaration is available in Portuguese here.

Interested in participating in this initiative? Contact us!