The Strong Cities Network was launched on 29 September in New York on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Welcoming remarks were offered by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who also introduced a Keynote address by U.S. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch.

The launch of the Strong Cities Network was followed by the first Steering Committee Meeting on 30 September, which convened Mayors and local government leaders from 25 cities across the globe, leading efforts to challenge violent extremism and who will actively drive the international agenda of the Strong Cities Network.