The Cities Alliance is a global partnership for urban poverty reduction and the promotion of the role of cities in sustainable development.

Cities Alliance, which has over 20 members, supports cities, local and national governments and their partners to address the challenges of rapid urbanisation, and to harness the benefits and opportunities it can represent for all citizens.

Cities Alliance is governed by three over-arching objectives:
a) To strengthen and promote the role of cities in poverty reduction, and in sustainable development;
b) To capture and strengthen the synergies between and among members and partners; and
c) To improve the quality of urban development cooperation and lending.

The Cities Alliance prioritises support to cities, local authorities, associations of local authorities and/or national governments that are committed to:
a) Improving their cities, and local governance, for all residents;
b) Adopting a long-term, comprehensive and inclusive approach to urban development;
c) Implementing those reforms necessary to effect systemic change, and to achieve delivery at scale; and 
d) Decentralising resources to empower local government