CoMotion GLOBAL 2025 Unveils ‘Mayors in Motion’ Initiative: 100+ City Leaders to Accelerate Urban Innovation

With the first 20 Mayors announced, leading city officials from around the world are convening in Riyadh December 7–9 to advance policies, partnerships, and innovations driving the future of mobility and urban transformation.

CoMotion GLOBAL, the world’s most influential gathering of urban mobility leaders, today announced the launch of Mayors in Motion, a landmark initiative uniting more than 100 global mayors and city leaders to accelerate urban innovation and sustainable development. The program will debut at the upcoming CoMotion GLOBAL conference in Riyadh, December 7–9, underscoring the summit’s growing role as a catalyst for collaboration among the world’s most forward-thinking cities.

Designed to drive progress toward more connected, sustainable, and inclusive cities, Mayors in Motion will serve as a powerful global network for city leaders to exchange insights, coordinate strategies, and champion practical solutions. Through this coalition, participating mayors will collaborate to address critical shared challenges – from decarbonization and digital transformation to equitable access and urban resilience.

The inaugural program features an exceptional lineup of current and former mayors alongside senior government officials from six continents:

• Lord Marvin Rees, Former Mayor of Bristol, England championed urbanization as a means to address global challenges. During his two terms, his administration built more than 14,000 new homes, launched Bristol City Leap – a pioneering £1 billion clean energy investment partnership – and introduced the One City Approach, an award-winning governance model promoting collaborative urban leadership.
  
  
• Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone, now in her second term, is adopting a data-driven approach to urban challenges. She is focused on cultivating autonomous, locally designed transportation systems that prioritize affordability and maintenance, while also serving as C40 co-chair.
  
  
• Jan Vapaavuori, Former Mayor of Helsinki, Finland brings extensive international experience, having served as Mayor of Helsinki (2017-2021), Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (2015-2017), Finnish Minister of Economic Affairs (2012-2015), Minister of Housing and Urban Planning (2007-2011), Member of the Finnish Parliament (2003-2015), and President of the Finnish Olympic Committee (2020-2024).
  
  
• Rohey Malick Lowe, Mayor of Banjul, Gambia, the first female mayor in her city's history, is breaking barriers in local politics and championing initiatives to promote economic growth, community development, and gender equality. She has spearheaded efforts to modernize public infrastructure, creating a cleaner and more sustainable city.
  
  
• Dada Morero, Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, South Africa, elected in August 2024, is delivering a transformative agenda for Africa’s most important financial and corporate hub – focused on green energy promotion, urban space transformation, and economic growth. He currently serves as President of the Global Fund for Cities Development (FMDV).
  
  
• Mauricio Rodas, Former Mayor of Quito, Ecuador, was the youngest mayor in the capital city's history. During his tenure, he led the construction of Ecuador's first Metro line and implemented numerous initiatives promoting urban sustainability, social equity, and economic development.
  
  
• Steve Adler, Former Mayor of Austin, Texas, prioritized tackling Austin's traffic challenges by launching Project Connect, an initiative for a mass public transit system. In September 2016, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx named him a winner of the Mayors' Challenge for Safer People, Safer Streets.

Additional notable speakers include Michael Kpakpo Allotey, Mayor of Accra, Ghana; Chiri Babu Maharjan, Mayor of Lalitpur, Nepal; Berry Vrbanovic, Mayor of Kitchener; and Jaime Pumarejo, Former Mayor of Barranquilla, Colombia; Fatimetou Abdel Malick, Former Mayor of Tevragh Zeina, Mauritania; Dr Hazel Nasiphi Moya, Executive Mayor of City of Tshwane, Pretoria; Diana Caiza, Mayor of Ambato, Ecuador; Joséphine Solange Anaba Mbarga, Mayor of Nkolmetet, Cameroon; Hon. Yvonne Eyidi, Mayor of Nkongsamba, Cameroon; Chaudhry Muhammad Ali Randhawa, Chairman Capital Development Authority & Chief Commissioner of Islamabad; Johra Said Ali, Mayor of Nakuru, Kenya; Emad Al-Azzam, Mayor of Irbid, Jordan; and Manuel de Araújo, Mayor of Quelimane, Mozambique.

Beyond this distinguished lineup of mayors, the summit will convene CEOs, policymakers, investors, academics, entrepreneurs, and innovators to shape urban mobility ecosystems and advance the future of smart cities.

"CoMotion GLOBAL has become the premier platform for the world's most forward-thinking city leaders to come together," says John Rossant, Founder and CEO of CoMotion. "We're honored to welcome such a diverse group of mayors and government officials to Riyadh, one of the world's fastest-rising hubs of innovation. Their leadership and vision are essential as cities everywhere navigate the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly evolving mobility landscape."

Explore the future of mobility and collaboration in Riyadh. To learn more and apply for a complimentary public sector pass, visit: www.comotionglobal.com.

About CoMotion

CoMotion is the world’s leading platform where the most influential leaders, companies, startups, and policymakers meet to shape the future of mobility. With flagship events in Riyadh, Los Angeles, and Miami, CoMotion fosters meaningful dialogue and catalyzes investments that advance sustainable and equitable transportation worldwide.

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