Manuel de Araújo, mayor of Quelimane, is one of nine mayors on three continents who are finalists for the world prize World Mayor 2023for Mayor. The nine finalists represent cities from nine countries on three continents. Some of the places are small, others are home to hundreds of thousands of people.

While all nine finalist mayors face and skillfully deal with issues unique to their communities, they also address opportunities and challenges common to cities around the world. At a time of great conflict in some parts of the world, the finalists of the World Mayor recognize the contributions that cities can make to forging friendship between peoples.

Since the beginning of 2023, the organizers of the World Mayor Project have received tens of thousands of messages, emails and letters from people nominating individual mayors and describing why they should be considered for this year's World Mayor Honours. The qualities mentioned repeatedly and common to all the finalists include their understanding of climate issues, creating opportunities for young people and their concern for people who need society's support.

This year, many organizations participating in the World Mayor Project also expressed their fears about the divisions in civil society, which threaten to turn into conflicts.

The conduct, objectives and achievements of the nine finalists were valued and praised by the participants in the World Mayor Project. In addition, many mayors were praised for the most important quality a local leader can have: Love for their fellow citizens. Read at....