Emilia Saiz Carrancedo is the Secretary General of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), the largest global network of local and regional authorities. With a career in the international municipal movement spanning nearly three decades, she is a leading global advocate for sustainable urban development, local democracy, and the critical role cities play in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Throughout her tenure, she has championed institutional capacity building, decentralized cooperation, and the advancement of women in local decision-making. As the co-founder of the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments, Emilia has successfully positioned local leaders at the forefront of international policy diplomacy, driving collaborative action from the grassroots to the global stage.