Businesses from across the world have signed up to support the Global Parliament of Mayors Annual Summit, which takes place in Bristol later this month.
Global development consultants Mott MacDonald and Arup and transatlantic law firm Womble Bond Dickinson are among the sponsors while IT provider NEC Corporation – a partner in the city’s pioneering Bristol Is Open project is also backing the event alongside UWE Bristol. 
The dinner sponsor will be California-based electric scooter hire company Bird. The scooter sharing start-up hires out urban, electric scooters via a smartphone app and has recently launched in Europe.
First West of England has added a specially decorated bus to its fleet ahead of the summit which takes place between October 21 and 23 and will promote the event as it travels around the city.
More than 80 Mayors from around the world including Asia, Africa, North and South America and Europe have now registered to take part in the summit.
Together they will be looking to address key global challenges which many cities experience at a local level including migration, urban security and resilience, public health and harnessing high tech and innovation.
As the host, Bristol will be showing itself as a centre for progressive international and national discussions whilst encouraging more investment into the city.
The summit will showcase the best of local, UK and global industry and will be an opportunity to develop new trade and investment links.
Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees, who is also treasurer for the Global Parliament of Mayors, said: “Businesses, both local and international, have seen the opportunity in supporting the Global Parliament of Mayors summit and it is great to have such widespread support. It also puts Bristol at centre stage for nurturing city links, closer international trade relationships and investment opportunities during uncertain political times around the world.
“This summit is the biggest and most ambitious yet for the GPM and a chance for city leaders to affect real change. City leaders are on the front line of delivery across the world and are faced with the realities of similar issues on a daily basis. International frameworks need to pay attention to the voices of cities if they are going to solve the challenges we face.”
Organisations such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the British Council will help deliver a programme of key note speakers with industry experts to help inform the debate between mayors.
More information about the conference can be found on the GPM website along with a copy of the programme and a list of some of the attendees.
