For each successful edition of the Olympic Games, there has been a strong host city at its core. The Lausanne Summit 2008 was the first ever gathering of these Olympic Cities. The Summit brought together the Mayors of cities who have organised, will organise, or are considering organising, the Olympic or Youth Olympic Games, both summer and winter. Joining together for the first time, past Olympic hosts shared experiences that will build the platform for the future success of each and every Olympic and Youth Olympic Games to come.

The inaugural Lausanne Summit 2008 also hosted the first General Assembly for the World Union of Olympic Cities (UMVO).

The UMVO and the Lausanne Summit has been created to provide a platform for exchange of experiences between policy makers from cities around the world. It is intended to be an informal platform where cities can discuss openly between themselves and with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

In his opening address of the Lausanne Summit, IOC First Vice President Lambis Nikolaou, hailed the UMVO as a strong platform to engender strengthening of sharing spirit. “The transfer of knowledge between cities and various public entities will contribute to the increasing quality of future candidates, thus ensuring an optimal legacy for local communities and youth in particular,” he said.

Daniel Brélaz, Mayor of Lausanne and president of the UMVO, said: "We are pleased that the first General Assembly for the UMVO was well received. Olympic Cities have long needed a platform for exchange. I am honoured to be the President of the association and am dedicated to moving forward with its development."

The Union plans to hold General Assembly’s biennially to coincide with the summer and winter Olympic cycle, but could meet more often should there be a demand from the member cities.