COUNCIL OF EUROPEAN MUNICIPALITIES AND REGIONS EUROPEAN SECTION OF UNITED CITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Executive Bureau
Barcelona, 23 February 2010
MEETING PAPERS
1 COUNCIL OF EUROPEAN MUNICIPALITIES AND REGIONS EUROPEAN SECTION OF UNITED CITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
MODIFIED
EXECUTIVE BUREAU
BARCELONA, 23 FEBRUARY 2010
Barcelona City Hall, Saló de Cròniques Sant Jaume Square 2
9 for decision for information DRAFT AGENDA
Documents No
16 h 00 Opening of the meeting • Welcome by Jordi Hereu i Boher, Mayor of Barcelona
1. Adoption of the draft agenda ...... 1
2. Approval of the draft list of decisions from the Vienna meeting of the Executive Bureau (5 November 2009) ...... 2.1 y For information, draft list of decisions of the Berlin Policy Committee meeting, 30 November – 1st December ...... 2.2
3. The involvement of local and regional authorities during the Spanish Presidency of the EU:...... 3 y Presentation by Pedro Castro Vázquez, Mayor of Getafe, President of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), including on the 2nd Local Government Forum European Union, Latin America and Caribbean, 5- 7 May, Vitoria (Spain) y Report on the Barcelona European Summit of Local Governments by the President of Diputación de Barcelona, Antoni Fogué Moya, accompanied by the Spanish Secretary of State for European Affairs, Diego López Garrido, and the President of FEMP
4. European Affairs...... 4 y Presentation by Dr Wolfgang Schuster, member of the “Reflection Group on the Future of Europe in 2020-2030 Time Horizon”, Mayor of Stuttgart, Vice-President of CEMR y CEMR response to the consultation on the future “EU 2020” Strategy y CEMR policy paper on Public Procurement
5. The reflection process on the future of CEMR...... 5
6. Climate change – after Copenhagen, what perspectives? ...... 6
7. United Cities and Local Governments affairs ...... 7 y Presentation on the 2010 work programme, by Elisabeth Gateau, Secretary General of UCLG
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8. Other international affairs ...... 8 y Report on the launch of the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM), 21 January, Barcelona y Report on the UNACLA preparatory meeting for the World Urban Forum (Rio de Janeiro), 11-12 February, Brussels y Exchange of ideas on a possible CEMR action following the catastrophe in Haiti
9. Calendar of meetings and main events ...... 9.1, 9.2
10. Other urgent matters y Presentation of a youth programme by Josep Fèlix Ballesteros, Mayor of Tarragona
20 h 00 Closing of the meeting of the Executive Bureau
Evening Dinner, at the invitation of the City of Barcelona (Palauet Albéniz - transfer ensured by bus)
2 2.1 COUNCIL OF EUROPEAN MUNICIPALITIES AND REGIONS EUROPEAN SECTION OF UNITED CITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
EXECUTIVE BUREAU
VIENNA, 5 NOVEMBER 2009
DRAFT LIST OF DECISIONS
The President opened the meeting, welcoming the Executive Bureau to his city.
1. Adoption of the draft agenda
The Executive Bureau adopted the draft agenda.
2.1 Approval, draft list of decisions from the Athens meeting of the Executive Bureau
The Executive Bureau approved the draft decisions from the Athens meeting, 23 March 2009.
2.2 Draft list of decisions of the Malmö Policy Committee meeting
The Executive Bureau noted the draft decisions made by the Policy Committee at their meeting in Malmö, 22 April. They took note of the two proposed minor amendments to the CEMR Charter on Services of General Interest, which had earlier been presented to the Secretaries General and Directors, and to the experts of CEMR’s working group on public services and procurement. As there had been no objections to these, the amendments were approved.
2.3 Draft list of decisions of the Madrid meeting of the Secretaries General and Directors,
The Executive Bureau took note of the draft decisions made by the Secretaries General and Directors at their meeting in Madrid on 1-2 October.
3. Recruitment of the next Secretary General
As a first matter, the Executive Bureau agreed to extend the mandate of the current Secretary General from the end of October to the end of 2009.
The President recalled that the political-level interview Panel had held its meeting and interviews for the next Secretary General during the afternoon of 4th November. A majority of the members of the Panel (as set up by the Policy Committee at their Paris meeting in December 2008) participated in the meeting, but Ms Bresso (President of AICCRE) and Mr Kaklamanis, (President of KEDKE) were not able to be present.
Four candidates were interviewed. After discussion, the Panel had agreed that further consideration should be given to two of these candidates. The President underlined the importance of reaching a consensus, if at all possible, on a single candidate to recommend to the Policy Committee for election, at its meeting on 30 November in Berlin. He indicated that further consultation of the political level Panel would need to continue and the Panel might, if necessary, need to meet again before the Policy Committee.
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During the discussion, Mr Le Pensec underlined the high importance of having a broad consensus on the candidate to be recommended for election to the Policy Committee. He also suggested that the recruitment process could be deferred to coincide with CEMR’s political elections in 2010, with an interim management solution. After discussion, the other members of the Bureau did not accept this approach, and felt that it was necessary to proceed now with the election as foreseen.
The Bureau noted that the Panel would continue its work on the above basis with a view to nominating, if possible, one candidate for election in Berlin.
Cllr Keymer raised the issue of the length of the term of the new Secretary General. This issue had been raised in a letter from the Chief Executives of three national associations. Following discussion, it was agreed that CEMR’s statutes could not be changed at this stage, but that an appropriate mid-term review clause should be included in the contract of employment.
4. Report on financial issues
Mr Skard, Chair of the CEMR Financial Management Committee, presented information on the Committee’s last meeting. He underlined in particular some points of concern relating to members in arrears with membership fees, and unpaid rent in the common House in Brussels.
Cllr Keymer, Vice Chair of the Committee, underlined that the financial situation could be rather difficult over the coming year, and that close monitoring of CEMR’s finances would be essential. He proposed that the Financial Management Committee have an additional meeting in the first half of 2010. In response, the Secretary General suggested that a meeting of CEMR’s Honorary Auditors could be held together with the Chair and/or Vice-Chair of the Financial Management Committee, as a full additional Committee meeting would require considerable extra time and resources of the secretariat. The Director of Finance would be consulted on these matters.
The two budget options being put forward for 2010 were presented: • “option 1” - with increases only for those paying in 2009 less than the calculated figure due to the operation of “ceilings” to limit increases; • “option 2” involving a total freeze on all membership fees at 2009 levels, so that amounts called in 2010 would be identical to those called in 2009.
Mr Skard underlined that under option 1, under our system of “ceilings”, the highest possible level of increase for any association would be 5000€. He pointed out that option 2 would require a significant reduction.
Responding to the recommendation from Cllr Keymer to seek to avoid reductions in staff, the Secretary General underlined that the secretariat would carefully study different possibilities for reducing expenses, as necessary, in particular in the context of setting future priorities for CEMR. The timing of coming into office of the next Secretary General is also relevant in this context.
Given the particular difficulties that many associations were likely to face in 2010, the Secretary General suggested that it might be better to adopt option 2. Mr Le Pensec, Ms Jorritsma and Cllr Keymer agreed, indicating that their associations would be likely to vote for option 2.
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5. Launching a reflection process on the future of CEMR
The President underlined that 2010 will be a year of many changes, within Europe and for CEMR itself, particularly given the implications of the Treaty of Lisbon’s entry into force.
The Executive Bureau noted the draft outline of the 2010 CEMR work programme.
Mr Le Pensec recalled the proposal, put forward by the French section, to organise a series of meetings with associations in Strasbourg when the European Parliament is sitting there. Mr Vlasák further underlined the importance of enhancing cooperation with Members of the European Parliament and the Urban Intergroup, to strengthen CEMR’s visibility and capacity for influence.
In discussion on the proposal to launch a reflection process, Cllr Keymer proposed to conduct surveys and discussions with the whole membership. He suggested setting up an advisory panel, including both elected representatives and officers, to help guide the process. Ms Jorritsma agreed on the importance of broad consultation, and that the process should be from the “bottom-up”. Mr Pellegrini thought that the process should be a political exchange across the membership.
Following discussion, the Executive Bureau agreed to recommend that the reflection process be launched. The aim would be to agree a proposal on a final strategy in autumn 2010 so that the 2011 work programme could be designed in line with the outcomes of the reflection. There should be wide consultation of the members.
6. Update on the impact of the financial and economic crisis
The Secretary General presented CEMR’s recent survey, gathering the member associations’ assessments of the impact of the financial and economic crisis on their members, and their expectations of its future impact.
Broad discussion followed, during which the members of the Executive Bureau exchanged views on the impact of the crisis to date, and their expectations for the future; the President, Ms Jorritsma, Cllr Keymer, Mr Pellegrini, Mr Vlasák, Mr León De La Riva, Mr Knape and Ms Dieckmann contributed their national perspectives. Ms Jorritsma indicated in particular that the effects of the crisis were leading The Netherlands’ government to consider structural changes at regional level. Mr Le Pensec confirmed that France was already experiencing similar complications.
It was agreed that CEMR should continue to monitor the impact of the crisis on local and regional government, including any consequent changes on the structure and operation of local and regional government.
7.1. Calendar of CEMR statutory meetings
The Executive Bureau took note of the calendars of meetings. They noted in particular the draft agenda for the coming meeting of the Policy Committee in Berlin (30 November- 1 December), including the seminar taking place on this occasion to mark the 20th anniversary of the events of 1989.
The Executive Bureau welcomed the invitation of the FEMP to hold their next meeting in Spain during the Spanish Presidency of the European Council (first half of 2010). Mr Armas indicated that information on the date and location of the meeting would be communicated soon.
5 7.2. World Council meetings of UCLG, Guangzhou, 10-13 November
The members of the Executive Bureau took note of the agendas of the UCLG meetings in Guangzhou in November 2009. The next meeting of the CEMR World Affairs Committee would take place in Guangzhou on 12 November.
8.1. Draft European Commission communication on the 2008/2009 EU budget review
The Secretary General presented information on the leaked late draft of this communication, which proposes some wide-ranging changes in the structure and objectives of the EU's future budget with major implications, inter alia, for cohesion policy and twinning activities. This seemed to point to a likely future renationalisation of cohesion policy. Seven organisations representing Europe's local and regional authorities, including CEMR, had recently addressed a letter to the Members of the European Parliament stating their concerns over this matter.
Debate followed, during which the President emphasised that such a renationalisation would be in direct contradiction to the spirit of the Lisbon Treaty. Mr Vlasák confirmed that the European Parliament had similar information on this communication, and that Danuta Hübner, as Chair of the Parliament’s Committee on Regional Development, had written to the European Commission demanding explanations. Mr Knape and Ms Jorritsma presented their different national perspectives on how cohesion funds were and should be managed. It was agreed that given the importance of this matter, it should be further debated by the Policy Committee during their meeting in Berlin.
8.2. Report from the First Vice-President on his discussions with the Union of Municipalities of Turkey and UCLG (Middle East and West Asia)
Mr Knape reported to the Executive Bureau on his recent meeting in Turkey, where he had been invited to have a discussion, during a conference, with the senior representatives of the Union of Municipalities of Turkey and of the UCLG Middle East and West Asia Region (MEWA) concerning the UMT's application for membership of CEMR. He informed the Bureau that the proposal from the UMT, with agreement from UCLG/MEWA, was to the effect that UMT would seek full CEMR membership and also remain member of UCLG/MEWA to whom the UCLG fees would be paid, and that they would vote on UCLG matters only in the MEWA regional section.
The President informed the Executive Bureau of the letter received from CEMR’s Executive President Kaklamanis (who was unable to participate at the meeting in Vienna), in which he underlined the view that no decision should be taken on possible UMT membership of CEMR until the issues are clarified.
The Executive Bureau agreed that the Secretary General should take the opportunity, if possible, of the UCLG meetings in Guangzhou to discuss this matter further with the Secretary General of MEWA and ensure that the full proposal from UMT and MEWA is set down in written form. It was agreed that following the UCLG meetings he would inform the Presidency on the matter and report the facts to the Policy Committee so that it can decide how to proceed in relation to UMT’s application for membership.
***
The President closed the meeting, and the participants expressed their great appreciation to the city of Vienna for the excellent arrangements for the meeting.
6 2.2 COUNCIL OF EUROPEAN MUNICIPALITIES AND REGIONS EUROPEAN SECTION OF UNITED CITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
POLICY COMMITTEE Berlin, 30 November – 1 December 2009
DRAFT LIST OF DECISIONS
Monday, 30 November
The President opened the meeting. He thanked CEMR’s German section for hosting the meeting in Berlin, helping CEMR to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and victory of Solidarity movement with the special seminar which had been organised prior to the Policy Committee. He expressed thanks in particular to Bärbel Dieckmann, President of RGRE, Executive President of CEMR, for her many years of personal dedication and involvement in CEMR’s work, as this would be her last CEMR meeting.
1. Adoption of the draft agenda
The Policy Committee adopted the draft agenda.
2.1 Approval of draft list of decisions of the Malmö Policy Committee (22 April)
The Policy Committee approved the draft decisions from the Malmö meeting of 22 April 2009.
2.2 For information, draft list of decisions of the meeting of the Secretaries General and Directors (Madrid, 1-2 October)
The Policy Committee noted the draft decisions made by the Secretaries General and Directors at their meeting in Madrid, 1-2 October.
3. Report from the meeting of the Executive Bureau (Vienna, 5 November)
The Policy Committee noted the draft decisions made by the Executive Bureau at their meeting in Vienna on 5th November.
4. Change in membership of the Executive Bureau
The Policy Committee noted that due to changes within the Finnish association, Mikko Pukkinen, Mayor of Turku, would not carry on with his mandate as CEMR Vice President, member of the Executive Bureau. They expressed thanks to Mr Pukkinen for his work with CEMR.
The Policy Committee unanimously ratified the proposed change and elected Mr Markku Andersson, Mayor of Jyväskylä and President of the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities, as Vice President of CEMR, member of the Executive Bureau, until the end of the current mandate.
7 5. Election of the next Secretary General of CEMR
The President informed the members of the Policy Committee about the outcome of the meeting of the political-level interview Panel, which had been unable to reach a full consensus on a single candidate to recommend to the Policy Committee. The Policy Committee was invited to agree, in the absence of a consensus, to consider the candidatures of two candidates, Mr Alexander Kreher and Mr Frédéric Vallier. The Committee agreed to this proposal and Mr Kreher and Mr Vallier each made a presentation and answered a number of questions.
Extensive debate followed the presentations. Mr Le Pensec (AFCCRE) expressed concern relating to the political-level Panel’s work and its outcomes, whilst welcoming this opportunity for the Policy Committee to hear the presentations by both candidates. He recalled his proposal, which was first made to the Executive Bureau, that the election of the next Secretary General of CEMR be deferred so that it would coincide with the elections of CEMR’s political bodies at the end of 2010. Supporting this approach, the Italian delegation presented a motion to postpone the election. The motion was supported by different members of the Policy Committee, including from the UK and the Netherlands. Dissenting views were expressed by members from Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Spain, Sweden. The motion was put to vote, with 24 votes in favour, and 63 against.
The election of the Secretary General then proceeded by secret ballot. The first round of voting produced a tied result. In the second round, Mr Frédéric Vallier was elected as next Secretary General of CEMR, with 92 votes cast (46 for Mr Vallier, 45 for Mr Kreher 1 not valid/blank).
The Policy Committee congratulated Mr Vallier, due to take up his new functions in early 2010. Mr Vallier then expressed his thanks to the Policy Committee.
The members of the Policy Committee warmly thanked Jeremy Smith for his more than 7 years of dedicated service to the organisation at the head of the secretariat general.
Tuesday, 1st December
Secretary of State Monika Helbig, European Commissioner of the State of Berlin, welcomed the Policy Committee to Berlin. She particularly highlighted the importance of the day, being that on which the Treaty of Lisbon finally entered into force.
6. Report on the implementation of the 2009 work programme
The members of the Policy Committee approved the report on the implementation of the 2009 work programme.
7. Update on the impact of the financial and economic crisis
The members of the Policy Committee noted the information on CEMR’s work following the impact of the financial and economic crisis, and in particular the recent publication of the results of our second survey on the impact of the crisis.
8 8. CEMR General Assemblies, past and future
The members of the Policy Committee had an exchange on the organisation and outcome of CEMR’s 24th General Assembly, which took place in Malmö on 22-24 April 2009. Several members expressed thanks to the city of Malmö, as well as to the Swedish association, for their work hosting the congress.
Mr Knape (SALAR) put forward the proposal that the Policy Committee meetings which are organised prior to the opening of the General Assemblies should be given more time, and if possible a full day. This was supported by Mr Lamers (VNG) who made the following additional proposals relating to CEMR’s General Assemblies, that a) associations should agree to propose one speaker only for the programmes, to leave more time for debate, and b) that the final declaration could concentrate on fewer issues and if possible be adopted before the very end of the congress when fewer participants are present.
Regarding the overall structure and format of CEMR’s General Assemblies, it was agreed that for the next Assembly, in Cádiz in 2012, the current model could largely be taken forward. More radical changes could then be considered for preparing the subsequent congresses.
The members of the Policy Committee ratified the Malmö Declaration and Resolution.
9. CEMR relations with the European Confederation of intermediate local authorities
The Secretary General presented information on the European Confederation of Intermediate Local Authorities (CEPLI, by the French acronym), with which CEMR shares a number of members. Mr Chaillou (AFCCRE) informed the Policy Committee about CEPLI’s latest meeting in Budapest where he had participated on CEMR’s behalf. Mr Hoffschulte (RGRE), Mr Verrengia (AICCRE) and Mr Vlasak (SMO CR) expressed concern at the multiplication of new associations. In the mean time, they emphasised the need to ensure good coordination and collaboration. The Secretary General presented the proposal that CEMR and CEPLI could agree to invite each other to participate in relevant meetings with an informal status of observer. This was agreed by the Policy Committee.
10. Report from the CEMR Financial Management Committee
Mr Skard, Chair of the CEMR Financial Management Committee, presented information on the Committee’s last meeting, of 18 September 2009 in Paris. He raised issues of concern for the Committee relating to certain member associations in arrears with the settlement of their fees, and unpaid rent in the common House in Brussels. The Committee put forward a number of proposals aiming to limit the direct risks for CEMR’s budget which could arise from the unpaid rent in the House, e.g. at the end of the 9 year lease, to consider a new arrangement vis-à-vis relations between the landlord, CEMR and tenants (for example, CEMR could create a sort of property company). Mr Lamers (VNG) supported this idea.
Mr Skard recalled that there would be a transition period between the end of the current Secretary General’s term, at the end of 2009, and the date when the new Secretary General would take up his duties. He underlined that CEMR’s activity must continue during this period, and that it would be necessary to take steps to ensure continuity for the organisation’s financial management. This would particularly relate to the approval and payment of expenses which cannot be postponed, and in general, financial and legal commitments which cannot be deferred.
The Policy Committee agreed that a provisional mandate be given to Ms Dominique Arrestat, Director of Administration and Finance of CEMR, with the assistance of Ms Angelika Poth- Mögele, Director of Policy, for matters specifically related to the Brussels office, on detailed terms to be agreed by the Chair and vice Chair of the Financial Management Committee.
9 11. Approval of the accounts and discharge for 2008
Following Mr Skard’s presentation on the realisation of the 2008 budget, the members of the Policy Committee decided to carry over the results of the period, namely a surplus of 2 608,51 Euro, and gave discharge to the President and Secretary General for the year 2008.
12. Adoption of the 2010 work programme
The Secretary General presented the draft outline of the 2010 work programme of CEMR activities, and recalled that given the many changes facing our organisations and the members, the Executive Bureau, as well as the Secretaries General and Directors, agreed that now was a good time to launch a broader reflection on priorities for CEMR’s future work.
A number of Policy Committee members, including Cllr Keymer (UK - LGA) and Mr Knape, requested some prioritisation among the activities foreseen in the work programme.
During the debate, members highlighted different aspects of the work programme: Mr Viola (AICCRE) considered that CEMR should focus on developing services for the members. Ms Bougeard (AFCCRE, Chair of CEMR’s committee of women elected representatives) underlined the importance of continuing the work on promoting the equality charter. A number of members, including Ms Storelli (ASCCRE), Mr Porawski (APC) and Mr Knape, encouraged CEMR to take forward our work with colleagues in Belarus. Mr Bildarratz Sorron, President of the Association of Basque Municipalities and Mayor of Tolosa, presented information on the European Information Society Conference (EISCO), taking place in Bilbao 20-22 May 2010.
Ms Gateau (UCLG) and Mr Vlasák proposed different small amendments under objective C, on CEMR’s international work. The Policy Committee agreed to amend aim C3 so that an additional reference to UCLG could be added, together with a new reference to working with the Committee of the Regions.
Regarding the proposed reflection on CEMR’s future, Mr Lamers underlined the importance of defining a process and suggested that representatives of the different CEMR working groups could constitute a steering committee to drive the process. At Mr Knape’s proposal, the Policy Committee agreed that a point on relations with other associations at European and world level should be added for reflection.
Subject to the above amendments, the members of the Policy Committee approved the outline work programme for 2010, including the organisation of a reflection process on the future of CEMR.
13. Adoption of the 2010 budget
Mr Skard presented the draft 2010 budget, for which the Financial Management Committee had recommended proposing to the Policy Committee the following two options: - Option 1, which would maintain the same calculation bases in 2010 as in 2009, and would imply increases in fees only for those members who paid in 2009 less than the calculated figure due to the current system of ‘ceilings’; - Option 2, which, given the current crisis, involves a total freeze on all membership fees at 2009 levels.
Debate followed and several members indicated that given the current difficult climate, their association considered option 2 preferable. Ms Metz (Luxembourg) spoke in favour of the first option, underlining the importance of providing support for the organisation. The Policy Committee voted and adopted by large majority the second option (including a total freeze on fees), with the three members from Luxembourg voting for option 1.
10 14. CEMR policy work
Report on first year of new rapporteur system
The members of the Policy Committee noted the report, and agreed to continue with the presently elected five Rapporteurs until the end of 2010 when new elections will be held for all of CEMR’s political offices and positions, including the ten political Rapporteurs.
Current policy issues
The members of the Policy Committee agreed the key points of the draft policy paper, currently under preparation, on CEMR’s Position on the Commission’s Proposal to recast the Late Payments Directive.
They approved: - CEMR’s position on the recast of the directive on waste electric and electronic equipment; - CEMR’s response to the Consultation on a Sustainable Future for Transport; - CEMR’s response to the Consultation on the EU Youth Strategy.
15. The Future of EU Cohesion Policy
The CEMR Rapporteur on cohesion/territorial policy and economic development, Ms Gunnarsson (Mayor of Sala, 1st Vice-President of SALAR) presented CEMR’s key messages concerning the Future of the EU Cohesion Policy.
Debate followed during which amendments recently received from the French section were presented orally. These included some linguistic points in the French version, and some issues of substance, in particular on the importance of including reference to all relevant levels (not only “local”). The Policy Committee members approved CEMR’s key messages concerning the future of the EU cohesion policy, on the basis of the agreed changes, and underlined the importance of continuing CEMR’s work in this area.
16. Twinning and European citizenship
The members of the Policy Committee noted CEMR’s work in the field of twinning, and in particular, the aim to organise the next European twinning congress in 2011. The Secretary General indicated that the secretariat had been in contact with the European Commission to discuss possibilities of financial support for the congress. It was agreed that the secretariat should invite formal expressions of interest from interested potential host cities, including specific proposals for the congress’s organisation, to be submitted before mid-February 2010.
17. United Cities and Local Governments, and international affairs
The members of the Policy Committee noted CEMR’s international work, and in particular the work of “Platforma”, the European platform of local/regional authorities active in development cooperation, for which CEMR provides the secretariat. They noted that CEMR would be receiving financial support from the French government to promote the European Charter on development cooperation in support of local governance, which would provide further support for Platforma’s work.
The members of the Policy Committee noted Ms Gateau’s presentation on the recent work of UCLG, in particular relating to the statutory meetings of Guangzhou in November 2009, and the lobbying efforts leading up to the Copenhagen intergovernmental conference on climate change (COP 15). Ms Gateau informed the Policy Committee that the next meeting of UCLG’s Executive Bureau will take place in Chicago in late April/early May 2010.
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Mr Lamers requested CEMR’s support regarding the case of Kian Tajbakhsh, a local government practitioner who it seems has received a 15 year prison sentence in Iran. It was agreed that a letter could be addressed to the Iranian authorities requesting further information.
18. Developments regarding the application for membership of the Union of Municipalities of Turkey (including membership of UCLG)
The Secretary General presented information on developments relating to UMT’s application for CEMR membership, in particular on the issues of UMT’s membership and participation in UCLG, for which Turkey is in the Middle East and West Asia regional section (MEWA). He presented the proposal, indicated in the report, which had been put forward and agreed by MEWA and UMT:
1. UMT wishes to become a full member of CEMR for European affairs. 2. UMT, a founding member of UCLG-MEWA, will continue to be a member of MEWA. They will pay the relevant UCLG fees through MEWA. For UCLG voting purposes, they will be part of the MEWA region. 3. There will therefore be no ‘double’ membership of UMT within UCLG. UMT will not vote within CEMR on purely UCLG issues
With this proposed solution from the Turkish associations relating to the UCLG issue having been clarified, and on that basis, the members of the Policy Committee debated how to proceed in relation to the request of the UMT for full membership of CEMR.
Attention was drawn by the Secretary General to two recent letters which had been addressed to the President of CEMR – one from the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, and one from the President of KEDKE. Following discussion, Cllr Keymer proposed that the UMT be accepted as members with immediate effect on condition that written confirmation is received on two points arising from the debate, namely that a) the Union of Municipalities of Turkey does not and will not in future have members in northern Cyprus nor seek to represent municipalities there, and b) the Union of Municipalities of Turkey recognizes the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, which is CEMR’s national association member in Cyprus. Several other members of the Policy Committee expressed support for this proposal, which was agreed by the Committee.
19. Calendar of meetings
The Policy Committee noted the calendars of meetings, and approved the statutory meetings foreseen, including the next meeting of the Policy Committee taking place in Oslo on 3-4 June 2010. The next meeting of the Executive Bureau is due to take place in Barcelona in the afternoon of 23rd February, in the context of the Spanish Presidency of the EU, and during the European Week of Local Governments of the Presidency.
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The First Vice-President closed the meeting, expressing the Policy Committee’s appreciation to the German hosts for the excellent arrangements for the meeting.
12 3 COUNCIL OF EUROPEAN MUNICIPALITIES AND REGIONS EUROPEAN SECTION OF UNITED CITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
EXECUTIVE BUREAU
BARCELONA, 23 FEBRUARY 2010
for decision 9 for information
INVOLVEMENT OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL AUTHORITIES DURING THE SPANISH PRESIDENCY OF THE EU
Draft decision
The members of the Executive Bureau are invited to:
ª Take note of, and have an exchange on, the different presentations regarding the involvement of local and regional authorities during the Spanish EU Presidency.
1. In the context of the Spanish Presidency of the European Union, the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP) signed a joint Action Plan with the Spanish Secretary of State for European Union ensuring a high level of recognition and participation for Spanish local governments and the FEMP itself during the semester in which Spain will hold the Presidency of the European Union (first half of 2010).
2. In this context, it was proposed that the FEMP become the promoter of the 2nd Local Government Forum - European Union, Latin America and Caribbean (EU-LAC), taking place in Vitoria-Gasteiz on 5-7 May 2010, prior to the VIth EU-LAC Summit of Heads of State and Government of 18 May 2010 in Madrid.
This 2nd Local Government Forum aims to establish itself as the space of debate at the highest level of local government for the regions in question, so as to convey a strong local government position, capable of influencing the political agenda of the Summit Meeting of the Heads of State and Government in Madrid.
It is foreseen that a final statement will be issued from the Local Government Forum, due to put forward the local government position regarding innovation and technology as a driving force for development and social cohesion – the main themes of the Heads of State and Government Summit – as well as other key issues for local government in the regions, such as development cooperation. A delegation of local authorities is due to officially communicate the results to the Summit.
A first meeting to prepare the Forum, in which CEMR is an active partner, was organised on 8th February. Further information on the Forum, provided by the FEMP, is attached in annex.
13 3. Also reflecting this partnership approach to the EU Presidency between the different levels of government in Spain, the European Summit of Local Governments is being organised on 22- 24 February in Barcelona, by the Diputació of Barcelona, the FEMP and the Spanish Government, as an official part of the programme of the Presidency (the latest draft programme of the Summit is attached in annex). The aim of the Summit, entitled “Local Government in Network for a new Europe”, is to look at the current state of local governments, their future perspectives, different models of governance, public funding and policies of the European local governments, and to assess the proximity of these administrations to the citizens.
CEMR, which will be represented politically during the Summit, was invited by the FEMP to organise this Executive Bureau meeting, hosted by the city of Barcelona, in this context.
4. The members of the Executive Bureau are invited to hear and exchange on the presentation regarding the involvement of local authorities during the Spanish Presidency by the President of the FEMP, as well as to note the report regarding the Local Government Summit by the President of the Diputació de Barcelona and the Spanish State Secretary for European Affairs.
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GENERAL SECRETARIAT
PROJECT FOR FORUM ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: EUROPEAN UNION, LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
C/ Nuncio, 8 -28005 Madrid • Tel. (+34) 91 364 37 00 • Fax (+34) 91 365 54 82 • www.femp.es 15
GENERAL SECRETARIAT
Table of Contents DESCRIPTION ...... 3
CONTEXT...... 3
BACKGROUND ...... 4
THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS 2ND FORUM ...... 5 Project Summary ...... 6
PLACE AND DATE...... 6
ORGANIZATION AND PARTICIPATION ...... 7 STEERING COMMITTEE ...... 8
OBJECTIVES OF THE FORUM ...... 9 GENERAL OBJECTIVE ...... 9 OTHER OBJECTIVES ...... 9
FORUM STRUCTURE ...... 9 WORKING METHOD ...... 9 PROVISIONAL PROGRAM ...... 10 PARALLEL PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES ...... 14
FORUM COSTS AND FUNDING SOURCES ...... 14
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GENERAL SECRETARIAT
DESCRIPTION
Context The acknowledgement of Local Governments as legitimate entities endowed with a democratic power of representation and the capacity to give voice to civic life converts these into agents that establish relationships with their counterparts in the same way as other legitimized agents, either bilaterally or multilaterally, in international agencies, in networks of cities, or in international forums of regional local governments, such as the Ibero‐American Forum or the Forum of the European Union, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
Hence, account taken of the fact that nowadays, local governments intervene in almost all the subjects tackled in international agendas, the challenge that we face is to project the voice of local governments, such that these are heeded in the forums or venues in which public policies directly affecting the sphere of local action are framed.
In the communiqué to the European Parliament and Council from the Commission of the European Communities dated September 2009 (COM 2009‐ 495/3), reference is made to the strengthened association between the EU and Latin America to promote regional integration, focus international cooperation on reducing poverty, and meet the need to intensify the dialogue between the two regions. Lastly, it points out that the next Summit will signify the renovation of the strategic association between both regions.
The Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), conscious of the importance of local governments in promoting dialogue and cooperation in a joint agenda, considers the conveyance of the political positions reached in Local Government Forums to the Summit Meetings of Heads of State and Government indispensable; hence, the indispensable inclusion of these Forums in the Agendas of Summit Meetings.
In the same way, the Action Plan signed between the Secretariat of State for European Affairs (SSEA) and the FEMP for the six months of Spanish Presidency over the European Union – among other initiatives agreed upon under its aegis – proposes that the FEMP itself become the promoter of the 2nd Forum of the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean, hereinafter the 2nd Forum.
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GENERAL SECRETARIAT
Background
During the eighties, the foundations were laid for a real and not just rhetorical and historical Spanish presence in Latin America. Support for the recovery of democracies and for peace and democratisation processes in Central America were tackled in‐depth. The creation and extension of development cooperation programs were followed by the institutionalisation of political undertakings in multilateral relations, which find their best expression in the Latin American Summits of Heads of State and Government, begun in 1991.
Faced with this situation, some mayors saw the need to create a venue for debate, encounter, and municipal cooperation parallel to these Summits of Heads of State and Government, primarily aimed at ensuring that the voice of Local Governments was heard and that their closer view of what was happening to the citizenry was reflected in these summit meetings, seeking to convey their conclusions to the national delegations represented in such summits.
The 4th Edition of this Forum is being held this year, demonstrating its consolidation as the ideal venue for the institutional acknowledgment and interlocution that Local Governments and the different associations of Latin and Central American municipalities demand from their Governments – a consolidation in which the FEMP has played a highly relevant role, supporting the different organizers of the event from the outset.
Spanish Local Governments have not only played an important part in supporting the consolidation of local autonomy in Latin American countries. Rather, since Spain joined the European Union, they have defended the role of municipalities as the governments that are closest to the citizen, and hence, the governments capable of giving a more adequate response to the needs demanded by the citizenry, either individually or through their representation by the FEMP.
In this context, and in the light of the need for the voice of European and Latin American Local Governments to be taken into account in those biregional forums on the highest level, the local authorities of both regions held the First Forum of Local Authorities of the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean in Paris, in November 2007.
It may be underscored that this FORUM was conceived as the first formal venue for political lobbying among the Local Governments of both continents to influence the biregional agenda of the States involved. Its organization was spearheaded by both national (CUF, CICU, ANCI and the FEMP) and supranational (CEMR, FLACMA and the UCLG) associations of Local Governments, as well as by the EU‐LAC Observatory for Decentralised Cooperation (Barcelona Delegation).
The final declaration of the First Forum reflects the aim of “consolidating the EU‐LAC Forum of Local Governments as a permanent venue for the dialogue and political coordination of the local governments of the said regions, related to and acknowledged by the system of European Union, Latin American and Caribbean Summits”. In this regard, it is proposed to hold the Forums once every two years, before the date of the Summit Meetings.
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GENERAL SECRETARIAT
The Importance of this 2nd Forum
The need to convey the political position of the Local Governments of both regions to the Heads of State and Government is a strategy shared by both the FEMP and the group of Local Governments of the EU, Latin America and the Caribbean. This need has been likewise specified in other complementary forums never intended as substitutes that the FEMP has promoted as a central part of its work in the international sphere.
This 2nd Forum acquires a special relevance, due to the fact that it involves the Local Governments of two regions whose national representatives adopted the commitment to consolidate political and strategic dialogue in several key areas in 2005, such as promoting regional integration, focusing cooperation on development to reduce poverty and social inequity, and improving educational levels.
In 2008, in Lima, during the 5th EU‐LAC Summit, the Heads of State and Government debated about the need to work on biregional agendas to deal with strategic subjects such as poverty, climate change and migration. And the 6th Summit to be held in Spain in the spring of 2010 will focus on technological innovation as a driving force for sustainable development and social integration.
The Local Governments of both regions and the associations representing them, assuming the responsibility for governing that their citizens have charged them with, are convinced that they should be taken into account when it comes to developing the biregional strategies of the EU and the LAC region, since in the end they are going to have to facilitate the implementation of these.
This is what the Spanish Government considers in integrating the holding of this 2nd FORUM within the Action Plan signed between the SSEA and the FEMP on the occasion of the Spanish presidency of the EU, ratified by Secretary of State Mr. Diego López Garrido at the recent meeting of the Council of Municipalities and Regions of Europe (CMRE) held in Madrid this past 1st and 2nd of October before the European representatives of this agency.
During the presentation of the Action Plan – Information, Mobilisation, Participation – the President of the FEMP assumed the State Secretary for the European Union’s proposal for the FEMP to take the lead in organizing this important forum for debate with enthusiasm and commitment. It is thus of vital importance that the holding of this 2nd Forum – with the assurance of its being a part of the Spanish EU Presidency agenda – should be officially included in the agenda of the EU‐LAC Summit, so that the political position of the Local Governments of both regions may officially reach the Heads of State and Government and be taken into consideration when the Summit statements are prepared.
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GENERAL SECRETARIAT
Project Summary
The 2nd FORUM OF EU – LAC LOCAL GOVERNMENTS is a meeting among Local Authorities of the highest level representing the Local Governments of both regions. This Forum, which relies on the participation of between 60 to 80 city mayors and representatives of National and Regional Associations of Local Governments, has the firm intention of exerting influence on the political agenda of the Summit Meeting of Heads of State and Government of the EU‐LAC. In this regard, it is proposed that this 2nd Forum should promote a final statement reflecting the position of the Local Governments of both regions regarding innovation and technology as a driving force for development and social cohesion (the subject of the Summit), as well as the considerations arising from the discussion of other topics that are relevant to Local Governments, such as the relationship between local policies of social cohesion and public policies of development cooperation; and that a delegation of local authorities should convey these results to the Summit Meeting of Heads of State and Government.
Place and Date
The country that will serve as the venue for holding the 2nd FORUM OF EU‐LAC LOCAL GOVERNMENTS will be Spain. Said agreement was adopted in the Final Declaration of the 1st FORUM, which resolved to hold the event in the country where the Summit was to be held, in this case Spain.
The place in which this 2nd FORUM will be held will be Vitoria‐Gasteiz, a city in the north of Spain that presents several characteristics making it ideal for the event. Vitoria‐Gasteiz, the capital of the Basque Country, is a medium‐sized city (pop. 232,477) that has come a long way in working with the area of reference. Specifically, from 2005 to date, it has developed more than a hundred projects in cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean. In 2008, it allocated € 1,500,000 to the region in development cooperation projects.
Few places have names and surnames like Vitoria‐Gasteiz. The name of "Nueva Victoria" nwas give to it by King Sancho VI of Navarre, who founded the city in 1181. At that time, it was a walled city that represented a defensive bulwark of the kingdom of Navarre. The surname "Gasteiz" was that of the village located on the hill. Historically, Vitoria has always enjoyed a strategic position because it was on the shortest route between the Castilian plateau and northern Europe. Throughout its history, it has always had a marked commercial character. As early as the 13th century, historians recorded that it held three market days weekly, and, since 1399, two yearly fairs that brought numerous visitors together. Another significant historical characteristic of the city is its local charter, which declared all its inhabitants to have one and the same status, with no distinctions between nobles and commoners.
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GENERAL SECRETARIAT
Present‐day Vitoria represents a model of quality urban development in which the criteria of social cohesion, habitability, respect for the environment, accessibility, conservation, recovery of heritage and programs for social integration and participation have priority. It is a city with an intense history that manifests itself in a valuable monumental heritage.
As the capital of the autonomous community of the Basque Country, Vitoria‐Gasteiz is the seat of the leading political institutions of this autonomous community: the Basque government and parliament.
The dates for holding the said event are 5, 6 and 7 May 2010, prior to the Summit Meeting of EU‐ LAC Heads of State and Government.
ORGANIZATION AND PARTICIPATION
The present project contemplates a series of criteria by way of guidelines that should serve as orientation in delimiting certain aspects related to this event. Specifically, we are referring to the number of participants, which is set at 60‐80, to the composition, which is distributed in equal parts between the representatives of each region, and to the method of selecting the participants, which is explained later on.
The FEMP is an Association of Local Entities (Municipalities, Delegations, Councils and Insular Councils) formed under the auspices of the Fifth Additional Provision of Law 7/1985 dated 2 April 1985, regulating the Foundational Bases of Local Regimes; in addition, it has been declared an Association of Public Utility as per the Resolution of the Council of Ministers dated 26 June 1985.
Likewise, it is the Spanish Section of the Council of Municipalities and Regions of Europe (CMRE) and the official headquarters of the Latin American Organization for Inter‐municipal Cooperation.
The work done by this Federation during its 30 years of existence has always centred on the defence and autonomy of Local Governments and the consolidation of their role as sole interlocutors vis‐à‐vis the Central Government in all questions affecting the local sphere.
In their joint Action Plan drawn up on the occasion of the Spanish Presidency of the EU, the SSEA and the FEMP resolve that this Federation should assume the leadership in organizing this 2nd Forum, directing the process up to such a time as the steering committee for the event becomes operative.
The FEMP stake in the development of Local Government Forums that exercise an influence on Summit Meetings of Heads of State and Government has been a reality for several years now. This effort sustained over time has resulted in the reinforcement of local Governments through its influence on the agendas of the participating countries. A good example of this is the Ibero‐ American Forum of Local Governments in the framework of the Summit Meetings of Heads of State and Government through the General Secretariat for Latin America (SEGIB).
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GENERAL SECRETARIAT
This work, which is carried out by networking with Local Governments from other regions as well as from the same region, has the effect of multilateral cooperation in terms of the contributions made to the final declarations of such meetings – declarations by consensus that reflect the policies of the Local Governments in relation to specific challenges.
All this effort undertaken by the FEMP as a network of Local Governments and as a part of a more global network – European as well as Latin American – endow it with the ideal conditions with which to undertake the task of spearheading this 2nd EU‐LAC FORUM. We have the mission, entrusted to us by the 1st Forum, to assume this challenge; we have the global vision that an event of these characteristics requires; and we have the experience and the knowledge necessary to bring the project to a satisfactory conclusion.
Steering Committee
The creation of a Steering Committee to be entrusted with making the crucial decisions regarding this event is necessary for the implementation of this initiative.
This Committee will be composed of the following:
• CMRE (Europe) • FLACMA • CGLU • FEMP • Host City – Vitoria‐Gasteiz
Each of these entities has a specific function within the Committee, apart from having an intrinsic legitimacy to make decisions as well as to belong to this Committee.
The Council of Municipalities and Regions of Europe (CMRE) is the Agency that groups the European Associations of Local Governments together, so that apart from the legitimacy that this confers, it will have the responsibility of proposing the participants from this region who will represent the group of Local Governments from the Region.
The Latin American Federation of Cities, Municipalities and Associations (FLACMA), the CEMR counterpart in Latin America, will have the responsibility of proposing the participants from the said region to represent it in the event, as the reference organization in the region.
The United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) is the organization agglutinating the cities and Associations of Local Governments (CEMR, FLACMA) on the international scale. Its mission shall be to balance the representation between cities and Associations in order to obtain a flexible and representative forum.
Apart from these members inherent to the Steering Committee, we would like to rely on the participation of the following agencies for better assessment in all matters regarding the Forum:
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GENERAL SECRETARIAT
• Spanish Government
• European Union
• OAS
• Observatory for Decentralised Cooperation, European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean
• Other networks
This way, the Steering Committee will consolidate the conditions required to implement its activity – legitimacy and operativity – in addition to being a committee of reduced size, albeit of very broad representation.
Objectives of the Forum
General Objective
This 2nd FORUM has the principal objective of conveying the political position of the Local Governments to the Summit Meeting of Heads of State and Government.
Other Objectives
• To consolidate this Forum as a medium for establishing relations between the regions involved. • To revise and evaluate the results of the Declaration of the 1st EU‐LAC Forum held in Paris. • To convey the declaration emanating from the present and subsequent forums by means of its own delegation representing the Local Governments of both regions.
Forum Structure
Working Method
The working method of this 2nd FORUM shall be based on complementary discussions between plenary sessions and specialised work panels. In this manner we will manage to put together the detailed work on each of the proposals that may be made in the work panels, thanks to their reduced size and specificity.
We depart from a basic document that will be debated in 4 panels. Each of these panels shall have a Rapporteur selected by the Steering Committee, who will have the function of encouraging the panels while exercising the task of synthesis in the working groups on one hand, while on the other
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GENERAL SECRETARIAT
hand they shall prepare their conclusive documents together coherently, in tandem with each other.
The results of the said work shall be presented for approval in the plenary sessions, so as to be able to raise the final documents emanating from the Forum to the status of Forum Conclusions.
This working structure will enable us to break down the contents of the Forum to an operative level without losing the coherence of the subjects debated due to their fragmentation, since they shall obligatorily pass through the Plenary Session of the Forum, which, in this way, can contribute the coherence necessary to the documents generated by the panellists.
The plenary sessions and the panels shall take place within the interval of two days, during which the central theme of the Forum shall be debated, in order to approve a final resolution that will reflect the position of the Local Governments of both regions.
Provisional Program
FIRST DAY
17:00 h – 19:00 h Accreditation of participants
20:00 hours Welcome Reception hosted by the Council of Vitoria
SECOND DAY
08:30 hours Accreditation of participants
Opening of II EU‐Latin American & Caribbean Forum for Local Government (tbc)
Council of Vitoria
FEMP
09:00 hours CMRE/CGLU
FLACMA
EUROPEAN COMISSION
UCCI
SPANISH GOVERNMENT (Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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GENERAL SECRETARIAT
and Cooperation / Ministry for Public Administration)
OTHER
Plenary Session 1:
10:00 – 11:15 hours “Innovation and Technology as a driving force for sustainable development and social cohesion: A Local Government Perspective”
11:15 – 11:45 Coffee break
Parallel Session. Panel 1:
“Innovation for development: innovative strategies for social cohesion and the fight against poverty” 11:45 – 14:00 Parallel Session. Panel 2:
“Innovation and public services: the magnitude of local governments to provide services to the public”
14:00 – 16:00 hours Lunch
Parallel Session. Panel 3:
“Innovation and Governance”
16:00 – 18: 15 hours Parallel Session. Panel 4:
“Innovation, competitiveness and economic development”
18:15 hours End of Panels
21:00 hours Official Dinner hosted by the Council of Vitoria
THIRD DAY
Plenary Session 2:
09:00 h – 10: 15 h “The need to innovate in the field of cooperation: the experience of Haiti”.
10:15 h – 11:30 h Plenary Session 3:
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GENERAL SECRETARIAT
“Innovation and environmental sustainability”.
11:30 – 12:00 hours Coffee break
Plenary Session:
READING OF FINDINGS OF THE PLENARY PANELS AND 12:00 ‐13‐00 h. PRESENTATION OF THE RESULTS OF THE FORUM
Plenary Session:
READING OF THE DECLARATION OF VITORIA AND CLOSURE (tbc)
FEMP 13:00 horas ‐14:00 FLACMA hours SPANISH GOVERNMENT (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation / Ministry for Public Administration)
OTHER
The plenary sessions will be integrated for 5 speakers and 1 moderator panels, four speakers and 1 moderator, thereby guaranteeing that, given the number of participants and sessions, the participation of at least 50% of participants to the event. Moreover, both, allowed the debate, particularly the panels, where time is expressly provided for it in order to facilitate the widest possible participation.
In this sense, the distribution of participation in the plenary sessions will be as follows: of the 5 speakers under the same, in 2 parallel sessions 3 places correspond to Latin American and Caribbean representation and 2 seats for Europe, in the third is reversed, ie, 3 seats for European representation and 2 seats for Latin American and Caribbean representation.
Finally, FEMP appoint rapporteurs for each of the meetings planned.
Regarding the methodology of the sessions, there will be a framework document to be presented at a plenary meeting (presumably the first), conceptual documents (concept papers) for the parallel sessions and panels, a political agenda and a final statement of character institutional policy.
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GENERAL SECRETARIAT
Will seek an equitable distribution of representatives of both regions and gender in each of the delegations present at the Forum. Moreover, it is important the presence of Portuguese‐speaking Latin American cities and for the UCCI is strategically important to the participation of Andorra in the Latin American delegation.
Possible themes
The proposal included in the table above, includes two plenary sessions, one for opening the Forum, referring to the official theme of it and another end linked to the recent experience of cooperation after the quake of Haiti. In any case, both propuests be estrudiadaas by the Organizing Committee in order to validate its contents.
The proposal also includes four panels whose contents, submit to the organizing committee, the following topics:
• R & D Policies as a priority for future innovation strategies in Latin America and the EU.
• Innovation for development: an effective stake in the fight against poverty.
• Technology and Governance: the e‐governance.
• The innovation as a guarantee of universal access to public services.
• Innovative strategies for social cohesion.
• The impact of technological innovation in environmental policies.
• Local good practices in innovation
• ICT in government locaoles: the experience of digital literacy programs.
• Experiences of technological and social development through networks of cities: the proposal of the Spanish RED INNPULSO.
• The program of applied research and technological innovation in Latin America of the SEGIB.
Both the proposed Plenary Panel as not "numerus clausus" but, much to tell, any member of the organizing committee may propose other thematic cualuqier not included in the above. In any case, if we notice that the above proposals covered issues at the summit of Estoril, Lisbon, the priorities of the Spanish Presidency in the EU and the needs of local governments in Latin America and Europe
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GENERAL SECRETARIAT
Parallel Program of Activities
Along with the official program of this Forum, a parallel program shall be undertaken that will make it possible to consolidate the bilateral relations between the municipalities of both regions, and in which the conclusions of the 2nd International Forum on Strategic Alliances with Latin America and the Caribbean shall be taken into account to improve the treatment of drug dependency and rehabilitation. This shall be held in the city of Lugo.
Forum Costs and Funding Sources
The holding of an event of these characteristics has some costs of certain significance due to several factors. In the first place, it is necessary to cover a series of basic expenses as regards transport and lodging for the Forum participants. Thus, we have to consider the need of bearing the expenses of transport, lodging and upkeep for the Forum participants from the American region; on the other hand, as regards European representatives, due to the financing structure of their agencies, it would only be necessary to respond for lodging and upkeep, since the transport would be covered by their respective organizations. Likewise, it is necessary to bear in mind the expenses of preparing the forum proper, the discussion documents, the analysis of the situation… along with the experts and moderators necessary for the event. And lastly, we envision the expenses relating to logistics, which include materials, translation, design and poster, and meeting rooms.
All of this implies an approximate expense of € 250,000, for which the funding sources shall be the different promoters of this Forum: the Government of Spain through the State Secretariat for Cooperation, the European Union, FEMP, and Vitoria‐Gasteiz as the city hosting the Forum.
Complementary to the principal funding sources for the event, the collaboration of other entities committed to the same purpose will be sought to finance some of the specific activities proposed in this project, as regards both principal and parallel activities.
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Proposal for programme and speakers
LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN NETWORK FOR A NEW EUROPE
European Summit of Local Governments (Barcelona, 22-24 February 2010)
PRESENTATION
2010 will be a key year for the citizens of Europe. On one hand, it is thought that it will be the first year of recovery from the global economic and financial crisis. On the other hand, European project will confront new challenges and new scenarios: the newly approved legislature of the European Parliament, the renewal of the European Commission, the coming into force of the Lisbon Treaty and the formulation of the “EU 2020” strategy for growth and competitiveness. 2010 will also be European Year of Combating Social Exclusion and Poverty.
The Lisbon Treaty, which includes elements such as recognition of local autonomy, strengthening the principle of subsidiarity, increasing the powers of the Committee of the Regions, cultural diversity and the introduction of the concept of territorial cohesion, presents new opportunities and challenges for European local governments.
In this context, from 22 to 24 February 2010, Barcelona will host the European Summit of Local Governments, which will debate the role of local authorities at European and local level, and the measures necessary for adoption in the current context. The primordial question around which this summit will revolve is that of how local governments should act to achieve more cohesive cities and therefore a more cohesive Europe.
AIMS
The European Summit of Local Governments provides a space for debate and exchange among local governments from all over Europe, the European institutions, the member states and the private sector, for the purpose of providing a response and promoting specific proposals in the framework of a new European agenda, and the current context of economic and financial crisis. The future perspectives, the models, public financing and the policies of European local governments will all be reviewed, taking into account their unique position of being the government body closest to the citizens.
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The contribution of these governments to the development of their regions and to the entire EU requires new forms of cooperation. It is therefore necessary to foment cooperation between the different levels of government, studying in depth the concept of Multi-level Governance.
To this effect, it must be taken into account that one of the added values of European integration has been the development of networks of actors linked directly to the region. These networks have had and still have a fundamental role in the formulation of European policies.
QUESTIONS FOR THE DEBATE
What role do European local governments play in the current context of questioning the economic and social paradigms? What is the contribution of the governments and what local policies does Europe need to achieve economic, social and territorial cohesion?
What innovative measures must local governments adopt to confront the economic and financial crisis, guaranteeing cohesion, competitiveness and the quality of life of the citizens?
From the local perspective, what are the opportunities presented by the combat against climate change and adaptation to its effects?
How to ensure supra-municipal local governments are considered valid interlocutors at the European level in order to organise the cohesion of the region and develop good governance, improving the management of services, regional planning, citizen participation, etc.?
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PROGRAMME
nd Monday, February 22 : Plenary sessions
Opening Plenary Session
08:00 Welcome and registration
09:00 – 09:15 Welcome Mr Antoni Fogué Moya, President of the Barcelona Provincial Council
09:15 – 10:00 Opening conference: The new map of governance in Europe Mr Jorge Sampaio, UN High Representative for the alliance of Civilisations, ex- President of the Portugal, ex-Mayor of Lisbon Dr Wolfgang Schuster, Mayor of Stuttgart (Germany), Vice-president of the Reflection Group on the future of Europe, First Vice-president of the German section of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), European Vice-president of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)
Moderator: Mr Antoni Fogué Moya, President of the Barcelona Provincial Council
10:00 – 11:00 Local perspectives from other regions of the world Mr Fabio Alonso Salazar Jaramillo, Mayor of Medellín (Columbia) Mr Khalifa Ababacar Sall, Mayor of Dakar (Senegal) Mr Le Hoang Quan, Mayor of Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam) Mrs Elisabeth Gateau, Secretary General of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)
Moderator: Mr Jordi Hereu i Boher, Mayor of Barcelona (Spain)
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee Break
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11:30 – 12:30 Institutional inauguration Mr José Montilla Aguilera, President of the Generalitat de Catalunya Mr Manuel Chaves González, Third Vice President and Minister of Territorial Policy of the Spanish Government Mr Jordi Hereu i Boher, Mayor of Barcelona (Spain) Mr Antoni Fogué Moya, President of the Barcelona Provincial Council Mr Pedro Castro, Mayor of Getafe (Spain), President of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), Member of the Board of Direction of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), Vice-president of the Board of Direction and of the World Committee of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) Mr Gerhard Stahl, Secretary-General of the Committee of the Regions
Panels
12:30 – 13:45 Panel 1: A European Local Agenda: towards cohesive, competitive and sustainable territories
Key-note: Mrs Danuta Hübner, MEP, President of the Regional Development Committee of the European Parliament
Moderator: Mrs Claudia D’Avino, journalist and presenter, Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR, West German Broadcasting), North Rhine-Westphalia
Participants: Mr Gaspar Zarrías Arévalo, Secretary of State for Territorial Cooperation, Minister for Territorial Policy, Government of Spain Dr Wolfgang Schuster, Mayor of Stuttgart (Germany), Vice-president of the Reflection Group on the future of Europe, First Vice-president of the German section of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), European Vice-president of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) Mrs Katarina Mathernova, Deputy Director General, Directorate General for Regional Policy, European Commission Mr Vicent Soler i Marco, Professor of Applied Economics, President of the Spanish Section of the European Regional Science Association
13:45 – 14:00 Debate
14:00 – 15:30 Lunch
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15:30 – 16:45 Panel 2: Local Public Policies for social cohesion
Key-note: Mrs Paz Fernández Felgueroso, Mayor of Gijon (Spain)
Moderator: Mrs Esther Vera, CNN+ journalist
Participants: Mr Jean-Paul Huchon, President of the regional council for Île-de-France, President of Metropolis Mr Kiril Yordanov, Mayor of Varna (Bulgaria) Mr Sergio Arzeni, Director, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Centre for Entrepreneurship, SME's and Local Development (CFE) Sra. Inés García-Pintos Balbás, Head of International Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility, Confederación Española de Cajas de Ahorros (CECA) Member of the European Confederation of Trade Unions
16:45 – 17:00 Debate
17:00 – 18:15 Panel 3: Local governments as driving forces of the “EU 2020” Strategy
Key-note: Mrs Christine Chapman, Member of the Welsh National Assembly, rapporteur of the Committee of the Regions on the future of the strategy for growth and employment after 2010
Moderator: Mrs Soledad Gallego, Journalist of El País
Participants: Mr Pierre Schapira, Deputy Mayor of Paris in charge of International Relations and francophony, Responsible for the committee of citizens’ consumption at Eurocities Mr Miquel Valls i Maseda, President of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce Mr Xavier Prats Monné, Director of Employment policy and international relations, European Commission Mr Staffan Nilsson, President of the Economic and Social Committee of the Lisbon Strategy Observatory
18:15 – 18:30 Debate
18:30 End of the session
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18:30 – 19:30 Inauguration of the exhibition LOCAL, LOCAL! Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona c. Montalegre, 5 – 08001 Barcelona
20:00 – 21:00 Honorary Awards: “Building Europe from the cities: Mayors that made history” Mr Pasqual Maragall i Mira, Ex-Mayor of Barcelona (Spain) Mr Jorge Sampaio, Ex-Mayor of Lisbon (Portugal) Mr Pierre Mauroy, Ex-Mayor of Lille (France) Mrs Dora Bakoyannis, Ex-Mayor of Athens (Greece) Mr Francesco Rutelli, Ex-Mayor of Rome (Italy) Mrs Ritt Bjerregaard, Ex-Mayor of Copenhagen (Denmark) Mrs Hilde Zach, Mayor of Innsbruck (Austria)
21:00 – 22:30 Welcome Dinner (invitation required)
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Tuesday, February 23rd: Thematic sessions
Parallel Thematic Sessions
a) “The role of Intermediate Local Governments in the articulation of the territory”
09:00 – 09:30 Opening Session Mr Antoni Fogué Moya, President of the Barcelona Provincial Council, President of the Committee of Provincial Councils, Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), Vice-president of the European Confederation of Intermediate Local Authorities (CEPLI) Mr Claudy Lebreton, President of the Association of French Departments (ADF), President of the European Confederation of Intermediate Local Authorities (CEPLI) Mrs Francina Armengol, President of the Island Council of Majorca, President of Arco Latino
09:30 – 10:30 Different models of supramunicipal governments in Europe
Moderator: Mr Mateu Chalmeta Torredemer, Third Vice President of Barcelona Provincial Council, Councillor of Badalona Provincial Council
Participants: Mr Marino Fiasella, Member of the Executive Board of the Union of Italian Provinces (UPI), President of the Province of La Spezia, Member of the European Confederation of Intermediate Local Authorities (CEPLI), Member of the Executive Board of Arco Latino Mr Kazimierz Kotowski, President of the Association of Polish Counties (ZPP), Member of the European Confederation of Intermediate Local Authorities (CEPLI) Mr Helmut M. Jahn, Head of County Authority of Hohenlohe (Landrat), Member of the Committee of the Regions on behalf of the German County Association (Deutscher Landkreistag), Vice President of the European Confederation of Intermediate Local Authorities (CEPLI) Member of the Uniunea Nationala a Consiliilor Judetene din Romania, Member of the European Confederation of Intermediate Local Authorities (CEPLI)
10:30 – 11:00 Debate
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee Break
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11:30 – 12:30 Intermediate Local Governments in the framework of Multilevel Governance in Europe
Moderator: Mr Javier Sánchez Cano, Director of the European Centre for the Regions, Barcelona
Participants: Mr Juan Andrés Tovar, President of the Cáceres Provincial Council, President of Partenalia, Member of the European Confederation of Intermediate Local Authorities (CEPLI) Mr Ferenc Ódor, President of the National Union of County Council of Hungary, Vice President of the European Confederation of Intermediate Local Authorities (CEPLI) Mr Loukas Katsaros, Secretary General of the Union of Prefectural Authorities of Greece (ENAE), Prefect of the Province of Larissa (Greece), Member of the European Confederation of Intermediate Local Authorities (CEPLI)
12:30 – 13:00 Debate
13:00 – 15:00 Lunch
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b) “Local governments and new energy policies”
09:00 – 09:30 Opening Session Mrs Beatriz Corredor Sierra, Minster of Housing, Government of Spain Mr Màrius García Andrade, Second Vice President of Barcelona Provincial Council, Councillor of Badalona City Council
09:30 – 10:30 Impact of energy policies in the environment and economy of the cities
Moderator: Mr Joan Antoni Baron Espinar, Mayor of Mataró (Spain), Environmental Councillor of the Barcelona Provincial Council
Participants: Mr Abel Caballero, Mayor of Vigo (Spain) Mr Ilmar Reepalu, Mayor of Malmö (Sweden) Mr Andres Perelló Rodríguez, Member of the European Parliament Mr Juan Antonio Alonso González, Director of Saving and Energy Efficiency, Institute for Diversification and Saving of Energy (IDAE) Mr Juan Alario, Associate Director, Head of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Division, European Investment Bank (EIB)
10:30 – 11:00 Debate
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee Break
11:30 – 12:30 Energy policies and strategies from a local perspective
Moderator: Mr Joan Antoni Baron Espinar, Mayor of Mataró (Spain), Environmental Councillor of the Barcelona Provincial Council
Participants: Mr Agustí Maure Muñoz, Director General for Energy and Mines, Generalitat de Catalunya Mr Richard Elelman, Energie Cités Mr Gino van Begin, Deputy Secretary General and Regional Director for Europe, Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) Mr Thomas Brose, Director of the European Secretariat, Climate Alliance Mr Tomás Díaz, Director for Communication and external Relations, Photovoltaic Industry Association (ASIF)
37
12:30 – 13:00 Evolution and results of the implementation of the Covenant of Mayors
Moderator: Mr Fernando Vallespinós Riera, Coordinator of the Environmental Department, Barcelona Provincial Council (Spain), Cities and Towns Network towards Sustainability
Participants: Mrs Emer Costello, Lord Mayor of Dublin (Ireland) Mr Pedro Ballesteros Torres, Program Manager, Directorate-General of Transport and Energy, European Commission
13:00 – 15:00 Lunch
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c) “Local governments in Europe: innovating towards excellence”
09:00 – 09:30 Opening Session Mr Antoni Castells, Minister of Economy and Finance, Generalitat de Catalunya Mr Josep Mayoral Antigas, First Vice President of Barcelona Provincial Council and Mayor of Granollers (Spain)
09:30 – 10:30 Current reforms in European local governments Moderator: Mr José Antonio Santano, Mayor of Irún (Spain)
Participants: Mrs María de los Llanos Castellanos Garijo, Director General for Local Cooperation, Ministry of Territorial Policy, Government of Spain Mrs Aina M. Calvo Sastre, Mayor of Palma de Mallorca (Spain) Member of the National Association of Italian Municipalities (ANCI) Mr Christophe Chaillou, Director General of the French section (AFCCRE) of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) Mr Francisco Velasco Caballero, Director of the Local Law Institute of Madrid Autonomous University
10:30 – 11:00 Debate
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee Break
11:30 – 12:30 Decentralisation, funding and local autonomy Moderator: Mr Frédéric Vallier, Secretary General of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR)
Participants: Mr Ian Micallef, President of the Chamber of Local Authorities of the Council of Europe Mr Manuel Zafra, Director General of Local Government of the Council of Andalusia Mr Jean Bakole, High Representative of UN-Habitat for the European Union Mr Joaquín Tornos, Professor of Government Law at the University of Barcelona Mrs Núria Bosch, Professor of Public Taxation at the University of Barcelona
12:30 – 13:00 Debate
13:00 – 15:00 Lunch
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d) “Sport as an instrument for social cohesion: Towards the European Day of Sport”
09:30 - 09:45 Inauguration of the session Mr Josep Monràs i Galindo, Mayor of Mollet del Vallès (Spain), President of the Area of Sports, Barcelona Provincial Council
09:45 - 10:15 Values of sports practice and spreading in the media Ms Anna Tarrés Campa, coach of the Spanish National Team of Synchronized Swimming Mr Albert Costa, coach of the Davis Cup Tennis National Team Mr Josep Maria Casanovas, editor of the sports Journal "Sport"
10:15 - 10:45 Implementation of public policies on Sport Mr Pedro Velázquez, Deputy Head of Sports Unit, Directorate-General for Education and Culture, European Commission Mr Albert Soler Sicilia, General Director of the High Sports Council (CSD) Mr Jesús María Canga Castaño, Mayor of Sant Adrià del Besós (Spain), Member of the Executive Board, Barcelona Provincial Council
10:45 - 11:00 Debate
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee Break
11:30 - 13:00 Euro Sport Health: Health promotion through sport for everyone at local level Mr Vassos Koutsioundas, Responsible for EU affairs, Cyprus Sport Organization Mr Giuseppe Villani, Director of the Organisation, Human Resources and Development Unit, Azienda Valle d'Aosta (Italy) Mr Paddy McGrattan, Sports Development Officer, Belfast City Council (UK - Northern Ireland) Ms Leonor Gallardo, Head of the Research Group (IGOID), University of Castilla-La Mancha Mr Tamas Freyer, President of the Association of Sport Federation of Budapest (Hungary) Mr. Antoni Tobeña Pallarés, Coordinator of the Sports Area, Barcelona Provincial Council
13:00 – 15:00 Lunch
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e) “The Alliance of Civilizations and city diplomacy initiatives”
09:00 – 09:30 Key-Note speech: “Living together in cities – urban governance and management of cultural diversity” Mr Jorge Sampaio, UN High Representative for the alliance of Civilisations, ex- President of the Portugal, ex-Mayor of Lisbon
09:30 – 10:00 City Diplomacy as a key component of intercultural cities Anne Marie Jorritsma , Mayor of Almere (Netherlands), President of VNG, Chair of the Committee on City Diplomacy, Peace building and Human Rights, United cities and Local Governments (UCLG)
10:00 – 10:30 Planning for diversity advantage at the city level Mr Phil Wood, Comedia
10:30 – 11:00 The network of intercultural cities Mrs Irena Guidikova, Council of Europe
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee Break
11:30 – 12:00 The Spanish experience, the National Plan for the Alliance of Civilizations and Local Governments Mrs Juana López Pagán, Director of International Affairs and Cooperation, Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP)
12:00 – 12:30 “The Dialogue Café”, an innovative city diplomacy tool for global conversations Mrs Sara Piteira, Dialogue Café Mrs Bárbara Coutinho, Fashion and Design Museum, Lisbon
12:30 – 13:00 A Clearing House on Integration Migrants Mrs Florence Laufer, Migration Integration - Strategic Partnerships Officer, United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Mrs Christine Aghazaram, Research Office, Migration Policy and Resarch Program, International Organizations of Migrations
13:00 – 15:00 Lunch
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f) “The role of local economic leadership in tackling global crisis”
12:00 – 13:00 The Barcelona Principles: how cities are facing recession
Moderator: Mr Sergio Arzeni, Director, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Centre for Entrepreneurship (OECD), SME's and Local Development (CFE)
Participants: Mr Jordi William Carnes, Deputy Mayor for the Treasury and Economic Promotion, of the Barcelona City Council (Spain) Mr Anthony Browne, Deputy Mayor, London City Council (UK) Mr Jean-Louis Missika, Deputy Mayor, Paris City Council (France) Ms Markéta Reedová, Deputy Mayor, Prague City Council (Czech Republic) Mr Tomasz Kayser, Deputy Mayor, Poznań City Council (Poland) Mr Rudolf Schicker, Executive Councillor for Urban Development, Traffic and Transport, Vienna City Council (Austria) Mr Robert Walsh, Deputy Mayor, New York City Council (USA)
13:00 – 15:00 Lunch
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Plenary Closing Session
15:00 – 15:30 Presentation of the conclusions from the Round Tables Mr Daniel Innerarity Grau, philosopher and essayist
15:30 – 16:00 Reactions from other regions of the world Mr Rachid Jamali, Mayor of Tripoli (Lebanon) Mr Miguel Lifschitz, Mayor of Rosario (Argentina)
16:00 – 16:15 From the Barcelona Agenda to the Belgian Presidency Mr Pascal Goergen, Région Bruxelles-Capitale, Representation Office to the European Union
16:15 – 16:45 Recommendations and presentation of the Barcelona Agenda Mr Antoni Fogué Moya, President of the Barcelona Provincial Council
16:45 – 17:15 Institutional Closing of the Summit Mr Diego López Garrido, Secretary of State for the European Union, Government of Spain Mr Antoni Fogué Moya, President of the Barcelona Provincial Council President of the Committee of the Regions
17:15 End of the Session
Dinner (Out of the program)
43
44 4 COUNCIL OF EUROPEAN MUNICIPALITIES AND REGIONS EUROPEAN SECTION OF UNITED CITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
EXECUTIVE BUREAU
BARCELONA, 23 FEBRUARY 2010
9 for decision for information
EUROPEAN AFFAIRS
Draft decision
The members of the Executive Bureau are invited to:
ª Hear the presentation by Dr Wolfgang Schuster, member of the “Reflection Group on the Future of Europe in 2020-2030 Time Horizon” and have an exchange on possible local and regional input to the work of this Group; ª Take note of, debate and ratify the CEMR response to the consultation on the future “EU 2020” Strategy; ª Take note of, debate and approve the CEMR key messages on Public Procurement.
A. The Future of Europe in 2020-2030 Time Horizon In December 2008, in accordance with conclusions of the European Council, the independent “Reflection Group on the Future of Europe in 2020-2030 Time Horizon” was set up to assist the European Union more effectively anticipate and meet challenges in the longer term. The group is chaired by Felipe Gonzales and has in all 12 members, including Vice-President of CEMR, Dr Wolfgang Schuster, Mayor of Stuttgart, President of CEMR’s German section. With the mission of identifying the key issues and developments which Europe was likely to face, and to analyse how these might be addressed, the Group is now due to present a report to the European Council meeting of June 2010. Issues due to be addressed include, inter alia: strengthening and modernising the European model of economic success and social responsibility, enhancing the competitiveness of the EU, the rule of law, sustainable development as a fundamental objective of the European Union, global stability, migration, energy and climate protection, and the fight against global insecurity, international crime and terrorism. It was intended that particular attention be given to ways of better reaching out to citizens and addressing their expectations and needs. The members of the Executive Bureau are invited to hear the presentation by Dr Schuster on this work, and to have an exchange of views on the local and regional perspective on this broad reflection. Furthermore, and taking into account the feedback provided by CEMR members on relevant issues, solicited by a CEMR circular earlier this month (copy attached in Annex A), the Executive Bureau is invited to discuss and agree on some input for Dr Schuster and his work in the reflection group.
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B. CEMR’s comments in relation to the future “EU 2020” Strategy The Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs will come to an end in 2010 and a renewed Lisbon Strategy, called EU 2020 Strategy, is under preparation in the European Institutions. On 24 November 2009, the European Commission published a Commission Working Document for consultation on the future EU 2020 Strategy with the aim to prepare a Communication prior to the Spring Council 2010 (25 & 26 March). CEMR believes that the EU2020 Strategy should be the overarching EU Strategy, and together with other relevant Strategies (e.g. Sustainable Development Strategy, IT Strategy, etc.) design the future of Europe and our society. Therefore, the Strategy should be ambitious and in particular involve local and regional government since they contribute to a major part to an effective implementation of the Strategy. In preparing its response to the consultation, the secretariat consulted broadly its members and received input from a range of member associations. Enclosed are CEMR’s key messages to the Commission working document; the full version of our response is attached (Annex B). The secretariat proposes to the members of the Executive Bureau to debate and to ratify CEMR’s key messages in order to provide the political support for further activities in the coming months. CEMR’s key messages 1. The current economic and financial crisis is an opportunity to change our society towards more sustainability The Strategy should advocate for ambitious changes of our styles of living and producing, not just “greening” the existing modes and ways. 2. Reconsider the concept of growth and quantity One of the reasons for the current crisis was the concentration on profit, growth, productivity and quantity. This concept needs to be reconsidered: replace growth with development and quantity with quality. 3. The new Strategy should be ambitious The Commission should not only add some modest modifications to the Lisbon Strategy but propose a new Strategy that meets today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. 4. The EU 2020 should be the overarching European Strategy for the future The coordination of other relevant European strategies, such as the revised European Sustainable Development Strategy or the new EU Strategy for the Information Society with the EU 2020 Strategy needs to be ensured. 5. Ensure ownership through involvement of all levels of governance In order to achieve its objectives, the Strategy has to involve all levels of governance; regional and local government are important partners to ensure the successful design and delivery of the Strategy. 6. An integrated approach of all relevant sectors The Strategy needs to take into account the interactions of all relevant sectoral policies and apply an integrated territorial approach in order to achieve sustainable results. 7. Appropriate funding for the policy priorities The policy priorities of the EU 2020 Strategy should be mirrored in the EU budget proposal for the next financial period. 8. The EU 2020 Strategy has a territorial dimension The EU 2020 Strategy objectives can only be achieved with measures at regional and local level, which take into account the situation at the relevant territory. 46
C. CEMR policy paper on Public Procurement The CEMR working group on public services and procurement decided in February 2009 to draft a policy paper on public procurement, expressing our concern towards the European Commission’s approach to address different policy objectives (e.g. in the area of environment, energy, social policy, innovation, etc.) with the instrument of public procurement. We were worried that at local and regional level colleagues in charge of public procurement receive mixed messages and an increasing number of seemingly uncoordinated and incoherent rules and guidelines. It turned out that our initiative was very timely since the European Parliament decided in September 2009 to prepare an own initiative report on new developments in public procurement. CEMR can thus contribute to the debate and further development at European level. CEMR was invited to a public hearing, organised by the responsible Committee of the European Parliament on 27 January, where we were represented by an expert from the UK.i CEMR is in close contact with the rapporteur and other key actors in the Parliament on this issue. The vote in the responsible Committee is scheduled for 28 April; the vote in the Plenary for 19 May 2010. The members of the Executive Bureau are invited to take note, debate and approve the enclosed key messages of the policy paper in order to allow further activities in the coming months and in particular in relation to the European Parliament. A summary of our recommendations is also available in French and German; the full language versions of the policy paper will be ready for the meeting of the secretaries general (4&5 March).
Key messages of CEMR 1. Stop overuse of public procurement for policy objectives Public procurement should not be overly used as a policy instrument on EU-level – solutions can also be realised via enterprise and industry policies 2. Better coordination within the EU Commission The different initiatives of the European Commission should be better coordinated and always conform to the legal basis outlined in the public procurement directives 3. Respect for local and regional self-government: ‘freedom to procure’ In reflection of the new Lisbon Treaty provisions, the principles of local and regional self- government are to be respected. EU actions in relation to sustainable, social responsible, innovate procurement etc. need to remain voluntary and allow local and regional authorities to determine their own purchasing priorities. 4. Shift from ‘value for money’ to legal certainty New EU initiatives have led suppliers and public procurers to increase their focus on legal certainty, choosing procedures that minimise the legal threat rather than procedures that maximise ‘value for money’ 5. Competitive dialogue procedure adds to administrative costs Detailed procedures, and in particular the ban on dialogue between procuring authority and potential tenders before the tender procedure is opened, leads to higher transaction costs for both, the public authority and the bidder 6. No mandatory public tendering for public-public cooperation Inter-communal or other public-public cooperation arrangements are not subject to public tendering procedures. Recent ECJ rulings provided clarification on this issue and do not necessitate further legislative measures
47 7. Impact on local and regional government Local and regional government as opposed to central government does the major part of public procurement investment; therefore any EU initiative should assess its impact on local and regional authorities 8. Need to further build procurement capacity and transfer of knowledge There is a need for training and education, exchange of experience and good practices of persons dealing with public procurement to better understand and apply the complex European rules
i Information on CEMR’s presentation in the hearing is available at : http://www.ccre.org/news_detail_en.htm?ID=1768
48 4 Annex A Conseil des Communes et Régions dʹEurope Council of European Municipalities and Regions
Paris, 11 February 2010
CIRCULAR LETTER N° 1
To the Secretaries General and Directors of the national associations and associate members
Dear Colleagues,
Future of Europe – Reflections on Europe 2020 – 2030 ‐ Request for input to the work of the independent “Reflection Group”
The Member States of the European Union have set up an independent Reflection Group in December 2008 on the “Future of Europe in 2020‐2030 Time Horizon” to anticipate the challenges that Europe will face. CEMR Vice President Dr Wolfgang Schuster, Mayor of Stuttgart, is one of the 12 members of the Reflection Group, which is chaired by Felipe Gonzalez, former Prime minister of Spain.
The moment is apt for a time of serious reflection for CEMR as well; the Lisbon Treaty, which came into force in December 2009, has opened up possibilities for local and regional government to play an active role in shaping our European community. The new European Commission and Parliament, and the recently renewed Committee of the Regions, will now get underway with their work in earnest. The coming year therefore promises to be one of many changes and we look forward to undertaking our own internal reflection process over the course of the year.
At this crucial moment as steps will be prepared to take forward the development of Europe, we should seize the opportunity to promote the establishment and implementation of a real multi‐ level governance approach with the involvement of local and regional government in the political agenda setting process.
We are very pleased that Dr Schuster has, in this context, solicited a contribution from CEMR and our members particularly so as to advance this multi‐level approach, bringing the local and regional perspective into the work of the Reflection Group. Moreover, at the next meeting of the CEMR Executive Bureau in Barcelona on 23 February, Dr Schuster will present the work of the Reflection Group, and we will have the opportunity to have an exchange on the issues.
We are pleased to enclose a number of questions provided by Dr Schuster, on which he would appreciate the input of the national associations across Europe ‐ to prepare for the debate in Barcelona, and to then take back to the Reflection Group. You are kindly invited to send your brief written comments to Nina Holbrook (e‐mail: [email protected]) by 19 February 2010.
We further invite colleagues to draw the attention of their members of the Executive Bureau to these points, so as to prepare for a fruitful debate in Barcelona.
15 rue de Richelieu - F-75001 Paris Square de Meeûs 1 - B - 1000 Bruxelles Tél : +33 1 44 50 59 59 ● Fax : +33 1 44 50 59 60 49 Tél : +32 2 511 74 77 ● Fax : +32 2 511 09 49 [email protected] ● www.ccre.org
The CEMR secretariat will collect your feedback and intends to structure the comments for the meeting. Following the debate of the Executive Bureau, a follow‐up will be proposed to the Secretaries General and Directors at their meeting on 4&5 March in Nicosia.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation and look forward receiving your feedback.
Yours sincerely,
Frédéric VALLIER Secretary General
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Future of Europe – Reflections on Europe in 2020 ‐ 2030 Questions proposed by Dr Schuster for feedback
What role will the municipalities and regions play in the Europe of 2020 ‐ 2030? - What can CEMR do in order to better link local and regional government to successfully confront the future challenges and at the same time to make their voice heard more strongly as well as to take over more responsibility at the European level?
On the European identity - What is meant by „European identity“? - Local and regional identity: What should „Europe“ mean for the citizens of Europe? What can be the „raison d’être“ of the EU? - What does a European identity mean in the sense of joint shared values and common visions for the future? Does the European identity represent an alternative to the national, regional and local identities?
The European sustainable economic model - What is the role and contribution of local and regional government to achieve a social market economy in Europe? - How can we achieve balanced and integrated solutions at local and regional level, taking into account the economic, social, environmental and cultural dimension of the complex problems? - On a long‐term basis how can local and regional authorities continue providing services of public interest such as public transport, healthcare services, education offers and what political and legal frame would be needed?
European approach for an education strategy
Demographic change and immigration - Challenges posed by an ageing society; immigration of young people and integration into our cities and towns.
Environment, energy and climate protection - Contributions made by local and regional government towards better climate protection, towards climate change, towards an enhanced use of alternative energies and a sustainable economy
Europe’s role in the world - Contributions made by local and regional government towards a peaceful coexistence through twinning and development cooperation schemes.
Scenarios facing Europe horizon 2020/2030 - EU expansion to the East and the South? What is the characteristic of the EU compared to North America, Latin America and Asia? What cultural, economic and political influence will Europe exercise in the light of the fact that it will only represent 7 – 8 % of the global population?
* * * * *
Please send your comments to Nina Holbrook51 by 19 February 2010: [email protected]
52
COUNCIL OF EUROPEAN MUNICIPALITIES AND REGIONS CONSEIL DES COMMUNES ET REGIONS D’EUROPE
Registered in the Register of Interest Representatives Registration number : 81142561702-61
4 Annex B
CEMR
Response to the European Commission’s Consultation on the future “EU 2020” Strategy COM(2009) 647 final
Brussels, January 2010
Conseil des Communes et Régions d'Europe• Council of European Municipalities and Regions 15 Rue de Richelieu F-75 001 Paris 1 square de Meeûs B-1000 Bruxelles tel : + 33 1 44 50 59 59 [email protected] - www.ccre.org Tel : + 32 2 511 74 77 53
CEMR response to the European Commission’s Consultation on the future “EU 2020” Strategy COM(2009) 647 final
Key political messages
1. The current economic and financial crisis is an opportunity to change our society towards more sustainability The Strategy should advocate for ambitious changes of our styles of living and producing, not just “greening” the existing modes and ways. 2. Reconsider the concept of growth and quantity One of the reasons for the current crisis was the concentration on profit, growth, productivity and quantity. This concept needs to be reconsidered: replace growth with development and quantity with quality. 3. The new Strategy should be ambitious The Commission should not only add some modest modifications to the Lisbon Strategy but propose a new Strategy that meets today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. 4. The EU 2020 should be the overarching European Strategy for the future The coordination of other relevant European strategies, such as the revised European Sustainable Development Strategy or the new EU Strategy for the Information Society with the EU 2020 Strategy needs to be ensured. 5. Ensure ownership through involvement of all levels of governance In order to achieve its objectives, the Strategy has to involve all levels of governance; regional and local government are important partners to ensure the successful design and delivery of the Strategy. 6. An integrated approach of all relevant sectors The Strategy needs to take into account the interactions of all relevant sectoral policies and apply an integrated territorial approach in order to achieve sustainable results. 7. Appropriate funding for the policy priorities The policy priorities of the EU 2020 Strategy should be mirrored in the EU budget proposal for the next financial period. 8. The EU 2020 Strategy has a territorial dimension The EU 2020 Strategy objectives can only be achieved with measures at regional and local level, which take into account the situation at the relevant territory.
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General remarks 1. CEMR welcomes the consultation on the future EU 2020 Strategy. However, we are concerned about the tight time frame, which does not leave much time for an in-depth reflection, and raises the question of how much the European Commission can take the responses into account when preparing its proposal for the new EU 2020 Strategy to the Spring Council. 2. CEMR considers the EU 2020 Strategy a crucial document on how we want our societies to develop in the coming decade. It is of great importance to the local and regional level as this is where the new Strategy will be implemented and where the policy will meet the people. That is why local and regional authorities should be prominently involved in drafting and implementing the Strategy. We therefore note with concern the little reference to the local and regional level in the paper. 3. Similarly, the role of territorially-based EU policies (such as cohesion and rural development policies) is not recognised in the paper, giving the impression that the EU 2020 Strategy should be implemented through a sectoral approach. We strongly disagree with this. Many of the Strategy’s goals can only be achieved by place-based policies. 4. The Commission’s consultation document elaborates broadly on the current economic and financial crisis. We agree that this is a big challenge both for public authorities at all levels and for people and businesses. However, the new Strategy is meant to be valid for the next decade and should therefore have a long-term vision and ambition. 5. The EU should seize the chance and focus on the opportunities the crisis offers. Therefore, the Strategy should encourage us to advocate for ambitious changes of our styles of living and producing, not just “greening” the existing and probably outdated modes and ways. The financial and economic crisis is an opportunity to change our society towards more sustainability in all its dimensions. In no case, the crisis should serve as an excuse for delaying or lowering the level of ambition of related investments and legislation. As the Commission document rightly states: “we will only succeed if we design and implement a bold policy response”. 6. CEMR calls on the Commission to come up which such a “bold policy response” and “new approach”. We encourage the Commission not only to add some modest modifications to the Lisbon Strategy but rather reflect upon the underlying philosophy and to propose a new Strategy that meets today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. 7. One of the reasons for the current crisis was the concentration of our thinking and acting on profit, growth, productivity and quantity. These principles can also be discovered as the red thread through the Commission’s document. CEMR would suggest to reconsider this concept and to replace growth with development and quantity with quality: To promote better quality, not just an increase of production and to focus on better and – where possible and appropriate – less, would be a more sustainable and innovative way of thinking and living. 8. We regret that the Commission does not provide a fundamental analysis of the current Lisbon Strategy as the basis of the proposals for the EU 2020 Strategy.
55 Such an analysis would have facilitated to further build on its strengths, such as the very existence of a European approach and the learning from each other. It would also have allowed addressing its shortcomings, where the lack of involvement (and thus ownership) of the regional and in particular the local level, both in developing and implementing the Strategy, is one of the most important ones. To create ownership for the EU 2020 Strategy at all levels by involving them all is equally essential to ensure actual delivery. 9. Another lesson from the Lisbon Strategy is that the EU 2020 Strategy should be more concrete. For example, it could propose an action plan and concrete indicators to monitor the implementation and outcome and the involvement of all levels of governance (European, national, regional and local). 10. CEMR welcomes the greater emphasis on people compared to the Lisbon Strategy. However, we want to make sure that people are not seen as mere “factors of production” in the labour market, whether they are EU nationals or migrants. The economy has to serve the people, not the other way round. The EU 2020 Strategy should not just be economic but also social and territorial, just as it is recognised in the new EU Treaty Objectives.
Governance
11. Local and regional authorities are essential for achieving EU and local objectives. Therefore, CEMR is concerned that the entire document does not have any reference to local authorities, the level closest to the citizens and where the different policies are delivered on the ground.1 This absence is also in contradiction with the European Council Conlusions2 and the Lisbon Treaty, which respects local self-government and extends the principle of subsidiarity to the local level. 12. The consultation document states “the Commission considers that EU 2020 should focus on key policy areas where collaboration between EU and Member States can deliver the best results, and on improved delivery through better use of the instruments at hand.” This statement falls behind our expectations. 13. The EU 2020 Strategy needs to make clear that the mentioned “partnership approach” starts at the regional and local level. With reference to the multi-level and cross-sectoral nature of the Strategy, CEMR advocates partnership structures that involve the local, national and EU level, defining their respective tasks and responsibilties and working together to ensure the successful delivery of the Strategy. This would increase transparency in the accountability and reduce deficits in delivery compared to the delivery mechanisms of the current Lisbon Strategy. The EU 2020 Strategy should also ensure the involvement of local and regional authorities in the specific national process of setting targets, in partnership with the national government.
1 See CEMR's policy paper on the future of cohesion policy with an own section on governance (http://www.ccre.org/prises_de_positions_detail_en.htm?ID=97). 2 See European Council Presidency Conclusions, 11 December 2009, on the “new EU 2020 strategy”, paragraph 19: ”(…) enhance national ownership through more active involvement of social partners as well as of regional and local authorities” (http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/111877.pdf).
56 14. Also the European Parliament, as the EU institution directly elected by Europe’s citizens, should get a more prominent role in defining and ensuring political accountability of the new Strategy. 15. As the local and regional level gets better involved in the implementation of the Strategy, they also need to be provided with the necessary resources to deliver results on the ground. 16. While the consultation document acknowledges that “new priorities need to be reflected in budgetary policies”, the European Commission should go further and propose how the policy priorities of the EU 2020 Strategy should be mirrored in the EU budget proposal for the next financial period. Equally, the upcoming debate about the future of the EU budget should take into account the objectives and priorities of the EU 2020 Strategy.
The three thematic priorities of the Strategy 17. European local and regional authorities share the objective, expressed in the Commission document, of a “sustainable social market economy, a smarter and greener economy” and agree in principle to the three priorities: creating value by basing growth on knowledge, empowering people in inclusive societies, creating a connected and greener economy. 18. CEMR advocates for the EU 2020 Strategy to become the overarching strategy for sustainable development in the EU, embracing all pillars of sustainability: the social, economic and environmental dimension. 19. Therefore we would like the EU 2020 Strategy to take stock and incorporate the evidence gathered by the European Commission’s “Regions 2020” study3. This and further research show that among the six emerging challenges, which the EU will face in the future, particularly two have a direct link to the EU 2020 Strategy: globalisation adjustment and demographic change. They also have a clear territorial dimension, with areas being more and / or disproportionately affected than others. Addressing those challenges requires therefore place-based policies, measures that incorporate the territorial dimension from the outset both in terms of definition and delivery. 20. To a great extent the implementation of the three priorities as pointed out in the Strategy, depends on the existence of an adequate infrastructure in Member States, regions and municipalities. The EU should continue to support those countries where the infrastructure is not yet sufficiently developed. 21. Furthermore, we believe that the EU 2020 Strategy objectives can only be achieved with measures taken via a place-based approach allowing Europe’s territories a certain flexibility and self-determination in order to better achieve both European and local objectives. 22. We notice with great surprise, however, that the EU 2020 Strategy does not mention territorial development and Cohesion Policy at all. This is the more astonishing as the Lisbon Treaty adds the territorial dimension to the economic and social cohesion as an EU objective. The absence of any spatial approach would disconnect people and places from the EU and its objectives, consequently reducing the prospect for success.
3 http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/docoffic/working/regions2020/index_en.htm
57 23. As Commissioner Samecki has suggested4, a place-based development policy will be essential for a successful EU 2020 Strategy. However, this means that the Strategy and Cohesion Policy need to complement each other, as well as territorial policies (cohesion, transport, agriculture, etc.) need to work hand in hand with sectoral policies. Therefore one of the key features of the EU 2020 Strategy needs to be to define how to coordinate the sectoral policies with the territorial approach. 24. Furthermore, CEMR calls for clarification on the Strategy’s link to other relevant European strategies, such as the revised European Sustainable Development Strategy or the new EU Strategy for the Information Society. We believe that these Strategies have to contribute to the overarching EU 2020 Strategy while being specific strategies for specific policy areas or issues.
Creating value by basing growth on knowledge 25. Even though the EU has no direct legal competency in this policy area, CEMR welcomes the Strategy’s emphasis on education. We believe that every person, regardless of its origin or gender, has the same right to education. However, studies show that in many Member States the socio-economic status still decides on a child’s success in the education system. CEMR would like to stress that all children should get the support they need to receive good education. 26. We agree that creativity is a driver for innovation and a major element in developing personal, labour, entrepreneurship and social skills. Therefore, relevant measures should be a part of general education, starting at an early age and further initiatives of the Member States, regional and local authorities should be strongly supported by the EU. 27. We very much welcome the Strategy’s objective to boost innovation. However, we believe that the concept of innovation should not be exclusively referring to scientific research and the high-tech industry. This purely science-based approach should be completed by the DUI (doing, using and interacting) concept of innovation. Most innovations arise from the practical context and serve to solve different kinds of problems and give solutions to a variety of needs. Considering this, innovation can and should also take place by the exchange of best practises and experiences among regions and local administrations. 28. CEMR welcomes the prominent place the Digital Agenda has in the consultation document. However, we want to underline that ICT is more than business or a means to organise our economy more efficiently. It changes our whole society (towards an information society) including the way we are living and thinking. 29. E-Government and e-Inclusion need to take a prominent place in the EU 2020 Strategy. The use of ICT will not only “make government services more efficient and easier” but also greener and more effective (e.g. freeing resources from paper work to real services in social service provision). The use of ICT will make services more accessible, notably in rural or peripheral regions. It also contributes to changing public services and the very way public administration is organised.
4 Paweł SAMECKI: Orientation Paper on the future of Cohesion Policy, presented at the 2nd Meeting of the High Level Group Reflecting on the Future of Cohesion policy, Brussels 3 December 2009 (http://www.europolitics.info/pdf/gratuit_en/262148-en.pdf).
58 These aspects should be included in the new Strategy by extending the description of the benefits from the use of ICT. 30. CEMR welcomes the recognition of the importance of Internet access, high-speed broadband and digital inclusion in the document and asks the Commission to come up with concrete proposals in the Strategy.
Empowering people in inclusive societies 31. Social inclusion is the expression of solidarity in society and aims to promote economic and social progress for all. It is an intrinsic goal of the European model of society. The overarching aim is to enable all groups of society to enjoy good quality of life and to participate in the community as active citizens. 32. CEMR supports the priority of empowering people in inclusive societies and we see the need for fostering social cohesion. We share the view that access to the labour market is a vital aspect for social inclusion. However, social inclusion cannot be limited to the labour market nor does employment alone guarantee for social inclusion and social cohesion. 33. Addressing the needs of disadvantaged groups and supporting those who are outside the labour market represent a major challenge to all actors involved in the task of creating cohesive and inclusive societies. 34. Regional and local authorities play an essential role in creating inclusive and cohesive societies, as in many cases they are responsible for a wide range of services aimed to promote active inclusion (welfare services, employment measures, education and training programmes, childcare, etc.). Municipalities and regions are not only responsible for the planning and provision of services but in many countries they are also main actors in the promotion of economic development, job opportunities and well-being in their communities, working in partnership with other local stakeholders. 35. Vulnerable groups and those at the margins of the labour market suffer in most cases multiple disadvantage requiring personalised, sustained and intensive support. Their knowledge of local circumstances and their close contact with the citizens allow municipalities to better address the specific needs of the most disadvantaged, if they are financially and legally enabled to do so. Therefore, the EU 2020 Strategy needs to take into account the important role of local and regional authorities in relation to social inclusion. 36. In particular we are concerned with those voices arguing for a sectoral approach to the social dimension of the EU 2020 Strategy. As outlined above, the priority should be to better territorialise the European Social Agenda in order to make the EU dimension relevant for addressing citizens’ needs directly where they live: in municipalities, cities and regions. 37. The impact of the economic crisis on employment will continue to severely affect people even when the economy will already be recovering. Therefore, short-term policies are needed to prevent that those who lost their jobs will become long- term unemployed. At the same time it is crucial to continue to pursue long-term objectives and to increase the overall labour market participation.
59 38. In this regard CEMR strongly supports efforts to better match and anticipate skills needs and would like to highlight that this is only possible in close cooperation with the social partners. 39. Measures that allow employees to find the right work-life balance are an important tool to increase labour market participation. 40. Even in times of economic prosperity, young people belong to those groups which have most difficulties to enter the labour market. The economic crisis intensifies this problem because of lacking possibilities for young people to qualify (lack of apprenticeships and jobs suitable for starters) followed by unemployment and eventually long-term unemployment. This development risks to waste the potential of an entire generation. Thus youth need to be supported with the aim to enable them through good education and other measures to find their way into the labour market or to be able to stay in the labour market. 41. In a knowledge-based society, learning has to be a life-long process and access for all age groups to qualification measures has to be insured.
Creating a competitive, connected and greener economy 42. Developing a greener economy requires coordinated policies at European, national, regional and local level. A comprehensive economic shift cannot be initiated without the involvement of Europe’s regions and towns, which have the necessary competences and the knowledge of the local context. Local and regional authorities see the opportunities of eco-efficient and future-oriented industries and services in their territories and for their population. 43. Local and regional authorities favour the uptake of new technologies in integrating them in their own activities and the provision of public services (e.g. e- government, clean vehicles in public fleets, etc.). They are home to research and development (R&D) facilities and headquarters and have a role to play in creating a research-friendly environment. They also support the cooperation between universities and industries through the development of local and regional innovation clusters. 44. CEMR considers the approach proposed by the Commission to create a “competitive, connected and greener economy” as far too narrow. Addressing the needs of the future implies a much more holistic approach, relying on all the dimensions of sustainable development. Our economic, environmental and social development fundamentally depends on a significant shift in the way we are living, working and moving. 45. Climate change should be better integrated in the EU 2020 Strategy. Appropriate measures to adapt to the potential impacts of climate change have to be taken here and now to conserve our natural resources and protect our transport, energy or industrial infrastructures. 46. We approve the Commission’s assessment that the framework conditions of our economy should be adapted through different tools such as internalisation of external costs (e.g. taxing of energy and CO2), subsidies, green procurement, and R&D. Regulatory measures can also be efficient to change the economy. Nevertheless, new obligations for local and regional authorities should always be accompanied with adequate financial resources.
60 47. Transport will play a major role in the move towards a greener economy, and therefore we endorse the statement that a rethinking of transport policy is needed. The EU 2020 Strategy should be closely linked to the White Paper on the future of transport policy, which will cover the same timeframe and share the same objective of sustainability. 48. CEMR supports strong EU and national measures to encourage and facilitate the development of decentralised renewable energy production. Decentralised energy supply operates at far higher efficiency, as little energy is lost during the transmission and distribution processes. Decentralised energy using renewable technologies, particularly in combination with cogeneration, has the potential to deliver the greenest energy with the lowest emissions. It is generally better adapted to the local environmental conditions and to local demand. Moreover, the development of such energy creates local employment. 49. In line with the revised EU Action plan on energy efficiency, the 2020 Strategy should focus on energy efficiency measures in energy generation, energy transport, distribution and end-use, including in the transport sector. Innovation and new technologies, as well as adapted education and training will be essential for a real change towards an energy efficient society. Creating a greener economy requires improving knowledge and developing green jobs. The EU 2020 Strategy should address the availability or adaptation of skills, both in the private and the public sector.
61
62 5 COUNCIL OF EUROPEAN MUNICIPALITIES AND REGIONS EUROPEAN SECTION OF UNITED CITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
EXECUTIVE BUREAU
BARCELONA, 23 FEBRUARY 2010
9 for decision for information
THE REFLECTION PROCESS ON THE FUTURE OF CEMR
Draft decision
The members of the Executive Bureau are invited to:
ª Take note of and debate the proposals of the Secretary General for the process of CEMR’s internal reflection over the coming year.
1. Background
At their meetings in October 2009, the Secretaries Generals and Directors of CEMR’s member associations asked the secretariat to start work on proposals for a reflection process on the future of CEMR to take place during the year 2010. CEMR’s Policy Committee, meeting in Berlin in late 2009, approved the CEMR work programme for 2010 which included the organisation of this reflection process on the future of CEMR over the course of the year, on the basis of proposals from the secretariat.
The aim of the reflection process is to identify a new strategy for CEMR in the context of the developments of these last twenty years, so as to ensure that our work remains relevant in a fast moving European and international context. Apart from studying how to best take into account the diverse interests of our members, examining questions of priority and balance in our work, key factors to be addressed will include the development of other European networks working for local and/or regional government, the changing role of the Committee of the Regions, the increasing impact of EU policies and decisions at the local and regional level.
Ideally, the completion of the reflection process should coincide with the celebration of the 60th anniversary of CEMR’s creation (2011) in order to make a visible and powerful link between the past and the future.
63
2. Suggested process
- March 2010: Secretaries General and Directors to agree an approach at their meeting in Nicosia. - April 2010: Debate with local and regional elected representatives of the member associations and consultation of members’ expectations via a survey to be drawn up in consultation with external support - May 2010: Setting up of breakout groups to define CEMR’s future strategy. Groups to be set up on a voluntary basis and to be supported by CEMR’s secretariat and member associations. (to work mainly via electronic exchanges) - June 2010: First report to be presented at Policy Committee meeting in Oslo - July 2010: Widening of reflection process to all (including non members) via online forum and individual contacts - September 2010: Joint meeting of CEMR’s committees and working groups, as well as breakout groups to draft a first strategic paper (ideally findings to be presented at Secretaries general and Directors’ September meeting - Ukraine). - December 2010: Strategic paper to be presented at the Policy Committee meeting for adoption. - 2011: Formal presentation of CEMR’s future strategy at 60th anniversary of CEMR’s foundation.
64 6 COUNCIL OF EUROPEAN MUNICIPALITIES AND REGIONS EUROPEAN SECTION OF UNITED CITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
EXECUTIVE BUREAU
BARCELONA, 23 FEBRUARY 2010
for decision 9 for information
CLIMATE CHANGE – AFTER COPENHAGEN, WHAT PERSPECTIVES?
Draft decision The members of the Executive Bureau are invited to:
ª Take note of and debate CEMR activities on climate so far and in 2010
A. Background 1. The last two years, CEMR has been engaged in the “Local Government Climate Roadmap”, lead by UCLG, ICLEI, Metropolis, C40 and the World Mayors Council on climate change, which aims at achieving the formal recognition of the role of local and regional government in the post-2012 international agreement on climate. As a result, many national associations of local and regional authorities lobbied their national government to achieve a better cooperation and involvement in the negotiations, and representatives of European municipalities and regions actively participated in the different UN summits on climate. This strong mobilisation proves so far to be positive since references to local and regional authorities are now included in the negotiating text. 2. CEMR was particularly successful in influencing the position of the European institutions on the international negotiations on climate. In close cooperation with EUROCITIES, Climate- Alliance, Energie-Cités and ICLEI-Europe, we indeed achieved an explicit recognition of the contribution of local and regional authorities in fighting climate change and adapting to its impacts, by the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers for Environment and the Heads of States and Government. Thus, the European institutions advocated the involvement of local and regional authorities in the development of national climate strategies and the recognition of their role in the international agreement on climate. 3. The United Nations Climate Summit in Copenhagen in December 2009 resulted in a weak agreement and was a deception for local and regional government. However, the international negotiations on climate will continue throughout 2010, with the aim to achieve an agreement by the end of the year in Mexico. To this end, the EU will be very active in mobilising its international partners and fulfil its commitment to a 20%, and conditional 30%, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. 4. Besides CEMR’s activities in relation to the international agreement, our activities concentrate on supporting the exchange of experiences between our members on the development and implementation of mitigation and adaptation measures, and on the implementation of key EU legislation on energy and climate.
65 B - Proposals for CEMR activities in 2010 CEMR Secretariat proposes to discuss the five following key elements that could serve as a basis for a broader debate at the CEMR Policy Committee meeting in June 2010.
1- Integration of climate in all relevant EU strategies and policies
Dealing with climate change requires a transversal approach, and therefore climate should be appropriately integrated in all relevant strategies and policies, such as the EU2020 Strategy and the future EU Sustainable Development Strategy, the post 2013 Cohesion policy and the future EU transport policy. All these strategies and policies will be debated and decided within the next three years and CEMR will be attentive that the climate aspect is sufficiently reflected in all relevant initiatives.
2- Reflection of the climate challenge in the EU financial priorities
If the EU commits to a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the course of the international climate negotiations, adequate financial resources will have to be made available to support the related increased efforts on climate. Local and regional authorities should benefit from this funding, since they will play a decisive role in meeting the EU climate targets. The next financial perspective of the EU, expected to cover the 2014-2020 period, should dedicate sufficient resources to meet the climate challenge. In particular, local and regional authorities need adequate financial support to reduce their footprint on climate and prepare for a changing climate. CEMR will deliver this message and make proposals during the debates on the future EU budget.
3- More visibility to the local and regional initiatives on climate
Successful mitigation and adaptation policies developed by local and regional authorities ought to be better known in order to inspire other municipalities and regions, and also the European legislator. In this respect, CEMR, EUROCITIES, Climate-Alliance, Energie-Cités and ICLEI-Europe will continue to coordinate and exchange information, for instance on financing climate protection. Efforts also aim at further cooperating with the European institutions: we intend engaging in the activities of the European Parliament’s new intergroup on climate and organising a high-level meeting with the new Commissioner on climate. CEMR will be deeply involved in climate-related initiatives with high visibility in 2010, such as the 6th Sustainable Cities and Towns Conference on 19-21 May in Dunkerque (France), where up to 1,500 participants are expected. This event is the next large conference in Europe to address climate change after Copenhagen and will be the occasion to convey a political message to Europe and the World on both climate and the wider local sustainability agenda. The CEMR secretariat proposes that the Policy Committee in Oslo (3 & 4 June 2010) will hold a debate on climate change issues with members of the European Parliament, the Commission and other key actors. Thus, we could convey a message to the next international negotiation session, which will be held in June in Bonn. We will also continue our involvement in the Covenant of Mayors’ Office and support local and regional authorities committing themselves to reduce their emissions and promote sustainable energy beyond the climate and energy objectives set up at European level.
4- Keeping local and regional government mobilised in the international negotiations The strong mobilisation of local and regional government in the run-up towards the Copenhagen Summit should not weaken. The international negotiations are not finished and there are still opportunities to reinforce the acknowledgment of local and regional government’s role in the negotiating text. An ambitious climate agreement may also open the door for increased financing for climate actions. Achieving the international climate objectives would indeed require more and quickly available financial resources, which local and regional authorities should also benefit from. CEMR will further cooperate with UCLG to ensure the contribution of European municipalities and regions to the international negotiations. UCLG’s World Congress in Mexico (foreseen 16 to 20 November) will be just prior to the negotiation conference, also in Mexico, at the end of 2010. 66
5- Support to the international cooperation between local and regional government
European municipalities and regions actively cooperate at international level, assisting with political and technical support to their counterpart in developing countries, thus contributing to the fight against climate change globally. This cooperation is also crucial with the view of the international negotiations since local and regional authorities from outside Europe can press their national government to move forwards and commit to an ambitious international agreement on climate. In this regard, PLATFORMA - the European Platform of local and regional authorities for development - will be involved in a seminar on climate change and cooperation, organised by the Assembly of Regions of Europe in the framework of PLATFORMA activities in the region of Andalusia in May. In the same month, the Forum on cooperation between EU – Latin America and the Caribbean will have a workshop raising cooperation in the field of climate change.
67
68 7 COUNCIL OF EUROPEAN MUNICIPALITIES AND REGIONS EUROPEAN SECTION OF UNITED CITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
EXECUTIVE BUREAU
BARCELONA, 23 FEBRUARY 2010 for decision 9 for information
UNITED CITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AFFAIRS
Draft decision
The members of the Executive Bureau are invited to:
ª Hear the presentation by Elisabeth Gateau, Secretary General of UCLG; ª Take note of and debate priorities for CEMR’s action in the context of the world organisation’s work programme in 2010.
1. During the meetings of UCLG’s statutory bodies in Guangzhou last 9-13 November 2009, the 2010 work programme of the world organisation was adopted (enclosed in Annex A).
The members of CEMR’s Executive Bureau are invited to hear the presentation by the Secretary General of UCLG on the priorities for the coming period.
2. The next UCLG Executive Bureau meeting will take place in Chicago (USA) at the invitation of Mayor Richard M. Daley, in conjunction with the Richard J. Daley Global Cities Forum, from 26 to 28 April 2010. The first draft programme (including preparatory meetings beginning on 25 April) is attached in Annex B. Following the discussions in Guangzhou concerning the revision of the UCLG Constitution, a second Extraordinary General Assembly will take place on the afternoon of Tuesday 27 April.
3. A highlight of the year’s agenda will of course be the IIIrd UCLG World Congress, taking place in November in Mexico City (16-20 November is the currently foreseen date). The preparations for the World Congress will include the development of strategic priorities for 2010-2013 and the appointment of the new governing bodies. CEMR will play an active role in this context, including by ensuring the coordination of the European nominations to the UCLG statutory bodies via our World Affairs Committee.
4. It is recalled that the setting up of PLATFORMA (platform of local/regional authorities for development) has led CEMR to reorganise our means of contributing to debates on international cooperation and to UCLG. Our North-South cooperation working group and the World Affairs Committee now meet together allowing a broad approach to international activities for CEMR. Following the wishes of the Chair of the World Affairs Committee, Dr Schuster, and of several of its members, the Committee will endeavour to meet, as possible, during the meetings of UCLG to better coordinate the contribution of the European elected representatives. The World Affairs Committee could meet in Chicago in the context of the next UCLG meeting. To ensure the good preparation of the European nominations for the elections in Mexico City, a further meeting could be organised, for example, linked with the meeting of our Policy Committee in June. Once the calendar of the UCLG nominations process is available, CEMR will provide further information on the organisation of our coming World Affairs Committee as soon as possible. 69
70
UCLG WORK PROGRAMME
2010
Approved by UCLG World Council 13 November 2009 Guangzhou, China
71
Summary
Foreword
2010 highlights of the UCLG policy agenda
The key objectives of UCLG for 2010:
I. Advocating the interests of local authorities before the international community and in particular the UN System
II. Defining the International Local Government Agenda
III. Promoting Decentralization and Local Self-Government
IV. Fostering collaboration between members
V. Developing UCLG’s Organizational Capacity to Deliver
72
Foreword
2009 has been marked by the Financial Crisis, the new Climate Deal negotiations and the acknowledgement by international institutions of the impact of unprecedented urbanization.
Pressing challenges such as the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and the food crisis have been overshadowed by the aforementioned matters, while the discussions on the United Nations Reform have been carried out almost unnoticed.
In parallel, the growing recognition by the international institutions of the role that cities and local governments can play has been boosted by the financial and economic crisis. Many countries (national authorities) have acknowledged the role of cities as motors of the economy by putting cities and regional governments at the centre of their stimulus plans following the crisis. Cities have proven to have great capacity to develop projects and foster employment.
In 2010 the World Organization will need to carefully prioritise its activities and support members in maximising the outputs of the international agenda. It will be important to demonstrate to the citizenship the importance of influencing international policymaking for the future of their cities and towns.
World Local and Regional Leadership Summit - III UCLG World Congress
The III World Congress of UCLG will take place in Mexico City from 17-20 November 2010. UCLG members and partners are invited to come together and define the international local agenda of the future.
It will be an opportunity to assess our achievements, to present new initiatives, and to learn about new trends and ideas. The III UCLG World Congress will also be the occasion for the election of the new leadership of the World Organization. The electoral process will begin in March 2010.
Your contributions will be essential to the work of your World Organization. We hope we can continue counting on your strong support to move forward the international local government agenda.
Elisabeth Gateau Secretary General
73 2010 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE POLICY AGENDA
− Climate Change: the implementation of the agreements or non-agreements following the Copenhagen Summit.
− Millennium Development Goals: Governments shall review their achievements and the process for the definition of new Millennium Development Goals will probably be proposed.
− Beijing+15: In March 2010, the UN Commission on the Status of Women will undertake a fifteen-year review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration. The focus of the review will be the sharing of experiences and good practices related to the Millennium Development Goals.
− 5th World Urban Forum, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), 22-26 March 2010, organised by UN Habitat under the motto: “The Right to the City: Bridging the Urban Divide”.
− 3rd Forum of the United Nations’ Alliance of Civilisations, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), April 2010: UCLG is a member of the “Group of Friends of the Alliance” and has contributed since its creation to giving a local dimension to this initiative for peace and dialogue between cultures.
− Expo 2010 will take place from 1 May to 31 October 2010 in Shanghai, China. The theme for the Expo is “Better city, better life”. Sub-themes include the fusion of different cultures in the city; the prosperity of urban economies; technological and scientific innovation in the city; the remodelling of urban communities; and interaction between the city and the countryside.
− The 2nd Forum of Local and Regional Authorities of the Mediterranean, which will meet in Barcelona on 2 and 3 May 2010, shall provide the occasion for local and regional authorities of the partner countries of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) to show the Presidency of the European Union and the UfM’s Secretariat their priorities for urban and regional development issues.
− 2nd United Nations Development Cooperation Forum, New York, July 2010, in which UCLG will intervene to ensure that the vision of local authorities is valued in new development aid policies implemented within the framework of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and the Accra Agenda for Action; to promote consistency between national and local cooperation strategies; and to support decentralisation and access to direct financing for local authorities.
− III UCLG World Congress: Taking place in November in Mexico City, the preparations for the World Congress will include the development of strategic priorities for 2010-2013 and the appointment of the new Governing Bodies.
− Second Global Report on Decentralization and Local Democracy: Focus on local finance.
74 THE KEY OBJECTIVES OF UCLG FOR 2010:
I. Advocacy before the international community and particularly the UN System
UCLG has working relations with the UN Agencies that deal with issues related to local authorities. In 2010 UCLG will:
1. Status of Local Governments: developing its partnership with the Continue lobbying for the UN Agency for Risk Prevention. mobilization of members before 6. Istanbul Water Consensus: their national governments to following the commitment made by request formal recognition of local local authorities to contribute to authorities before the UN. improve access to drinking water and to support populations 2. UN-Habitat: Contribute to the suffering from water shortage. revitalization of the United Nations Council for Local Authorities 7. Gender Advancement: Providing (UNACLA), ensuring the inputs from local authorities to the participation of UCLG membership. review process of the UN Beijing Participate in the Urban Declaration in the Special Session Sustainable Campaign of UN of the UN General Assembly in Habitat. March 2010.
3. Aid Effectiveness and 8. City Diplomacy: Provide a local Development: Represent local dimension to the Alliance of governments in the Advisory Board Civilizations through the of the UN Development corresponding UCLG Working Cooperation Forum (DCF). Group and Committee and Represent local authorities in the revitalise the implementation of Working Party on Aid Effectiveness the Agenda of The Hague. of OECD. 9. Culture: Play an advisory role 4. Cities Alliance: Chairing the before UNESCO, in particular Executive Committee of Cities through the Committee on Culture. Alliance, the World Bank-UN Habitat Programme that gathers 10. European Union: Active the main bilateral donors around participation in the European Local slum upgrading and city Government Platform led by the development strategies. Continue European Section CEMR. Ensuring the development of an the voice of local governments in international dialogue with donor the Union for the Mediterranean, countries on positive urbanization particularly at the 2nd Forum of together with Cities Alliance. Local and Regional Authorities of the Mediterranean, and in the 5. Climate Change: Ensure follow- European Development Days. up of the outcomes of the Copenhagen Summit on Climate 11. Alliances with all stakeholders: Change to ensure that local Developing international alliances authorities receive the necessary with organised civil society groups means to implement and play a on issues of common interest such relevant role in achieving the as the discussion on the UN international agreements. Continue reforms and the Aid Effectiveness Agenda debate.
75 II. Defining the International Local Government Agenda: III UCLG World Congress
In 2010, UCLG will prepare the strategic priorities for 2010-2013 that will be adopted on the occasion of the UCLG World Congress. III UCLG Congress will take place in Mexico City in November 2010.
The preparations of the World Congress will include:
1. Developing interactive spaces for 5. Preparing the electoral process discussion towards the World applying the new amended rules Congress; approved and advised on by the Statutory Committees; 2. Developing the programme of the III UCLG Congress 2010 with the 6. Paying technical visits to Mexico inputs of the UCLG membership City to prepare logistical and in particular, the UCLG arrangements; Committees and Sections; 7. Developing a communication 3. Gathering inputs for the new strategy to promote the Congress; triennial strategic priorities of UCLG for 2010-2013; 8. Mobilising participation to ensure worldwide representation and to 4. Developing the Congress consolidate UCLG as the united Declaration which summarizes the voice of local authorities; vision of UCLG membership concerning the international 9. Contacting partners to ensure a full agenda of local authorities; representation of partner local authorities internationally.
UCLG membership has expressed the need to proactively develop policy positions of local authorities, for local authorities, that do not only react to international policy. Important work has already been undertaken in 2009 with several policies being adopted already.
Besides promoting the implementation of existing policies, development of new policies will be continued in 2010, namely:
10. G 20 of Cities: Organising inputs 12. Urban Mobility: Developing the from cities for the discussions of governance aspects of Agenda 21 the G20. for Urban Mobility with special focus on: access for all, the social 11. Strategic Planning: Developing a divide and e-mobility within the Policy Position on Strategic framework of the Committee on Planning through the UCLG Urban Mobility. Committee on Strategic Planning and ensuring cross fertilization with 13. Millennium Development Goals: CIDEU (Centro Iberoamericano de Preparing UCLG inputs for the 2010 Desarrollo Estratégico Urbano). Special Session Review at the General Assembly. In collaboration with the UCLG Committee on the MDGs.
76 III. Promotion of Decentralization and Local Self-Government
The promotion of effective decentralization as an instrument that contributes towards citizen-centred governance remains a key task of the World Organization that will undertake the following concrete activities:
1. GOLD II: Publishing the Second 3. Instruments to analyse and Global Report on Decentralization promote decentralization: and Local Democracy with special Measuring the impact of policies focus on Local Finance and in close and identifying key issues to collaboration with the UCLG promote decentralization and good Committee on Decentralization and governance in partnership with Local Self-Government. UNDP and Habitat and UCLG Sections experts. 2. Strengthening of sharing of experiences and practices of 4. UN-adopted International local governments: Publication, Guidelines on Decentralization: online, of country profiles at the making this reference document Global Observatory on known among national Decentralization and Local governments by organizing Democracy. national meetings in cooperation with the Local Government Associations involved and the UCLG Committee on Decentralization and Local Self- Government.
IV. Strengthening the relations between members
UCLG is a network of networks and relies strongly on the spirit of partnership and solidarity among members. Members are at the forefront of the work programme of the organization and the facilitation of exchanges and contact is at the heart of our work.
1. Committees: the work of the 4. Universal Expo Shanghai: committees will be more related to Ensuring the active participation of the policy development of the local authorities at the Shanghai World Organization through Expo, entitled Better Cities, better fostering exchange with the life. Governing Bodies.
2. Gathering inputs: Inputs for the 5. Local Government Delegations: development of the strategic Delegations will be set up to priorities for UCLG 2010-2013 will participate in the events be gathered from Committees in highlighted in the Calendar the Annual meetings of UCLG attached, in particular: the Committees Secretariats. Shanghai Expo; the World Urban 3. Meetings between UCLG Forum; the III Forum of the Committee Secretariats and Alliance of Civilizations; the Regional Sections will be facilitated Mediterranean Summit; the MDGs during the global meetings. review at the UN General Assembly.
77 V. Developing UCLG’s Organizational Capacity to Deliver
The World Organization will need to develop its capacities by updating its democratic structure; broadening expertise and know-how, as well as expanding the Organization’s financial resources. The following actions will be undertaken in 2010 to consolidate the Institutional Framework:
1. Implement the amendment of the World Secretariat. The exercise UCLG Rules following the advice of began in 2009 with the support of the Committee on Statutory a specialised firm. Issues. 4. Exploring the use of innovative IT 2. Ensure a sound electoral process tools to improve communication applying the new rules towards the and interaction among members. UCLG 2010 Congress. 5. Recruiting a Deputy Secretary 3. Continue a strategic exercise General in order to strengthen the aiming at improving the efficiency capacity of the Secretariat and and organization of work at the ensure continuity.
78
DRAFT PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
Sunday 25 April
Morning UCLG Preparatory Meetings (tbc)
UCLG Financial Management Committee Afternoon UCLG Committee on Statutory Affairs
Monday 26 April
Richard J. Daley Global Cities Forum Morning Mayoral Roundtable Sessions UCLG Preparatory Meetings (tbc) By invitation
Richard J. Daley Global Cities Forum Afternoon Mayoral Roundtable Sessions UCLG Preparatory Meetings (tbc) By invitation
Evening Welcome Reception
Tuesday 27 April
PUBLIC SYMPOSIUM Morning JOINT SESSION Richard J. Daley Global Cities Forum - UCLG Executive Bureau
UCLG Executive Bureau Meeting Afternoon Extraordinary General Assembly
Evening Gala Evening
Wednesday 28 April
(Continuation) Morning UCLG Executive Bureau Meeting Extraordinary General Assembly
79
80 8 COUNCIL OF EUROPEAN MUNICIPALITIES AND REGIONS EUROPEAN SECTION OF UNITED CITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
EXECUTIVE BUREAU
BARCELONA, 23 FEBRUARY 2010 for decision 9 for information
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Draft decision
The members of the Executive Bureau are invited to:
ª Take note of the launch of the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly, and the organisation of its work; ª Take note of the recent UNACLA meeting, in preparation for the World Urban Forum; ª Have an exchange on initiatives relating to the recent catastrophe in Haiti.
1. Launch of the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM), 21 January, Barcelona
The Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (known as “ARLEM”, its French acronym) was set up by the Committee of the Regions in the context of the Union for the Mediterranean. Its formal launch took place in Barcelona on 21 January 2010 and the conclusions of this event are enclosed in annex for information.
ARLEM is composed of equal numbers of representatives of the European Union and of partner countries of the southern and eastern shores of the Mediterranean. From the latter, the representatives of local and regional government are appointed by the national governments.
For Europe, we recall that 30 of the total 40 members are named by the Committee of the Regions. The other 10 representatives are named by the associations of local and regional government active in the field – CEMR’s representative in this context, and who represented our organisation in Barcelona, is our Vice-President Dr Schuster, European Vice-President of UCLG, Mayor of Stuttgart.
It was agreed that ARLEM be chaired by two co-presidents: currently the President of the CoR and Mohamed Boudra, Mayor of Al Hoceima (Morocco). The associations were further accorded one representative on ARLEM’s Bureau; it was agreed to name to this position Michel Vauzelle, President of the French region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
At the inaugural session in Barcelona, mayors of major cities from the EU and the Mediterranean partner countries underlined the need to go beyond existing traditional diplomatic relations by launching concrete cooperation programmes on issues such as de- pollution of the Mediterranean, maritime and land highways, civil protection, alternative energies, higher education and research, etc.
81 As the work of ARLEM goes forward, it will be important that the associations of local and regional government participate in good collaboration so as to provide a coordinated contribution. UCLG, and particularly its Inter Mediterranean Committee – both of which also have 1 seat in ARLEM – offer a good possibility to facilitate this coordination, as this Committee brings together representatives of the different associations involved.
The next meeting of ARLEM is due to be held in Morocco in January 2011.
2. UNACLA preparatory meeting for the World Urban Forum (Rio de Janeiro), 11-12 February, Brussels
The United Nations Advisory Committee of Local Authorities (UNACLA) is the body set up by the Executive Director of UN Habitat to act as a consultative body on behalf of local government. UCLG and its regional sections including CEMR play an active role in UNACLA. The First Vice-President of CEMR, Mr Anders Knape, President of SALAR, is currently President of UNACLA. The CEMR Secretary General is a nominated observer to UNACLA.
The Secretary General of CEMR was invited to participate in a meeting on 11-12 February, in Brussels, organised by UN-Habitat and UNACLA. This was particularly with a view to the forthcoming World Urban Forum (WUF), which will take place in Rio de Janeiro, on 22-26 March 2010, and which will include a Mayors Round Table.
In the spirit of strengthening the collaboration between UNACLA and UN-Habitat, the preparatory meeting in Brussels provided an opportunity to assess UNACLA's work in the last years; the importance of strengthening the political input from elected members and an overall strategic vision for its work was underlined.
For UNACLA activities in 2010, in addition to a meeting in Rio, a further meeting could take place during the UCLG World Congress in Mexico City in November. It is moreover envisaged that UNACLA will be active on the occasion of the World Expo in Shanghai – the theme being “Better City, Better Life" – and possibly in the context of the UCLG stands already foreseen for the Expo.
It was noted that for the UNACLA event at the WUF in Rio de Janeiro, the UCLG regional sections will be asked to propose themes for the debate; currently considered topics include i) the economic and financial crisis, ii) climate change, iii) demographic change and migration.
UCLG and UN-Habitat are working together to prepare the Mayors Roundtable in Rio, due to take place on 22 March, around the theme "The Role of Local Government in Bridging the Urban Divide". The roundtable will have a capacity for 250 participants, and UCLG and UN- Habitat will welcome suggestions for who should be invited for the reserved places.
3. Exchange on actions following the catastrophe in Haiti
Following the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti in January 2010, many local and regional authorities and their national associations across Europe, as well as our world organisation UCLG, took swift action in solidarity with their Haitian counterparts. Calls for funds, the mobilisation and coordination of existing networks able to provide aid and other concrete measures of support for the people of Haiti issued from a strong will of our towns and regions to help a people in a time of dire need.
It is proposed that on the occasion of the Barcelona meeting of the Executive Bureau, the members be invited to share information on local initiatives in their country, and to have an exchange on the interest or possibility for CEMR to take any particular action in this context.
82
Inaugural meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly
Conclusions
Barcelona, 21 January 2010
83 Conclusions of the inaugural meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly
Barcelona, 21 January 2010
We, the local and regions' representatives of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, who came together to establish the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM):
1. Underline the longstanding commitment of regions and local authorities from around the Mediterranean, the EU Committee of the Regions and the associations representing regions and local authorities to foster peace, democracy, social and cultural understanding, sustainable growth and prosperity in this region;
2. Take as guiding principles the commitment expressed by the Heads of State and Government at the Paris Summit of July 2008 "to strengthen democracy and political pluralism by the expansion of participation in political life and the embracing of all human rights and fundamental freedoms" and to address "common challenges facing the Euro-Mediterranean region, such as economic and social development". These principles are deeply rooted and find their first expression in local and regions' governance as well as in the cooperation between different governance levels;
3. Propose that the ARLEM would represent the Euro-Mediterranean regions' and local authorities' dimension in order to enhance the sub-national contribution to the reinvigorated Euro-Mediterranean partnership, as formulated at the Paris Summit on 13 July 2008 and in accordance with the Marseilles Declaration of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM);
4. Are convinced that national approaches in dealing with initiatives from either side of the Mediterranean need to be enhanced to achieve sustainable solutions with the participation of regions and local authorities in shaping and implementing relevant policies for citizens and cooperation between regions and towns within the Euro-Mediterranean region;
5. Commit ourselves to promote and enhance cooperation and work in partnership in an inclusive process; agree that common challenges directly affecting citizens and regions or local levels should be addressed through concrete actions by all partners involved;
6. Are ready to put our long-standing experience in dealing with projects on the ground at the service of the Euro-Mediterranean projects directly involving the regions and the local level;
7. Aim, through the creation of ARLEM, to bring citizens closer to the Euro-Mediterranean dialogue and to channel the information on the mutual benefits that the UfM can assure, beyond the existing instruments of cooperation; aim to bring regions and local actors in direct
84 contact with the EU and UfM institutions in order to better tuning requests with proposals for the general interest;
8. Underline that while framing and implementing strategies and projects, the real needs of citizens need to be put first; therefore suggest that human, technical and academic resources from the regions and the local level be mobilised when implementing projects and that public- private partnership be maximised;
9. Stress that it is necessary to mobilise in order to ensure credits and funding by donors and that there is no unique solution that could unlock credits and financials instruments in all countries; but, at the same time and despite the apparent abundance of projects, there is a lack of coordination between the current development initiatives.
Therefore:
I. Call on the co-presidency of the Union for the Mediterranean to invite the ARLEM as observer to the UfM meetings;
II. Announce that in 2010 the ARLEM will particularly deal with urban and territorial1 sustainable development, the decentralisation process, information society, small and medium enterprises, local water management, cultural cooperation as well as migration and integration; in this context its members and their regions' or local administrations will foster twinning and decentralised cooperation for projects dealing with these topics;
III. Call on the Spanish presidency of the EU to enlarge its ministerial meeting on territorial development in March 2010 to the UfM representatives for regional and urban development and to the ARLEM co-presidents;
IV. Ask the ARLEM co-presidents to forward these conclusions to the co-presidency of the Union for the Mediterranean, the Heads of State and Government meeting at the bi-annual summit in June 2010 in Barcelona, and the European Union institutions.
Nominate: the co-presidents and the members of the Bureau as listed in annex I.
1 For the purpose of these conclusions, territorial development is economic and social development of a specific territory. The purpose of territorial development is to achieve the regions' and municipalities' potentialities in order to reach a harmonious and sustainable development of each territory.
85 Take note: that the members of the Assembly are as listed in annex II and that two committees of no less than 32 and no more than 43 members will be established in the near future and will deal with selected topics as referred to in point II here above. ______
86 Annex I
Co-presidents:
President in office of the Committee of the Regions, Mr Luc Van den Brande (Flanders/BE)
President of the region Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate, Mr Mohamed Boudra (MA)
Members of the Bureau:
Governor of Algiers, Mr Mohamed Kebir Addou (DZ)
Mayor of Greater Tafilah, Mr Khalid Al-Hnaifat (JO)
First Vice-president in office of the Committee of the Regions, Mr Michel Delebarre (Dunkerque/FR)
President of the region of Istria, Mr Ivan Jakovcic (HR)
President in office of the external relations commission of the Committee of the Regions, Mr Istvan Serto-Radics (Uszka/HU)
President of the region Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur, Mr Michel Vauzelle (FR) ______
87 Annex II
EU GROUP
TITLE SURNAME NAME CITY, REGION / COUNTRY CODE Mr ANDERSEN Knud Bornholm / DK Mr ANTICH I OLIVER Francesc Illes Baleares / ES Ms ARMENGOL Francina Mallorca / ES Mr BLANC Jacques Languedoc-Roussillon / FR Ms BRESSO Mercedes Piemonte / IT Mr CIMINO Michele Sicilia / IT Mr COHEN Michael Kalkara / MT Ms COPPOLA Maria Luisa Veneto / IT Mr DELEBARRE Michel Dunkerque / FR Mr ERVELÄ Risto Sauvo / FI Mr GEMESI György Gödöllö / HU Mr GOTTARDO Isidoro Sacile / IT Mr GRIÑÁN MARTÍNEZ José Antonio Andalucía / ES Ms HAKANSSON HARJU Lotta Järfälla / SE Mr HARLINGHAUSEN Rolf Hamburg / DE Mr HEREU I BOHER Jordi Barcelona / ES Mr JOSEPH Jean-Louis Bastidonne / FR Mr KROPIWNICKI Jerzy Łódź / PL Mr LAHART John South Dublin / IE Mr LEBRUN Michel Wallonie / BE Ms LOUCAIDES Eleni Nicosia / CY Mr MARTINI Claudio Toscana / IT Mr MICALLEF Ian Gżira / MT Mr MILIA Graziano Ernesto Cagliari / IT Mr MONTILLA AGUILERA José Catalunya / ES Mr PAPASTERGIOU Georgios Pieria / GR Mr QUAYLE Dave Trafford / UK Mr ROATTA Jean Marseille / FR Mr ROUILLON Christophe Coulaines / FR Ms SABBAN Michèle Ile-de-France / FR Ms SCHOINARAKI-ILIAKI Evangelia Heraklion / GR Mr SCHUSTER Wolfgang Stuttgart / DE Mr SÉRTÖ RADICS István Uszka / HU Mr SPACCA Gian Mario Marche / IT Mr SZWABSKI Stanislaw Gdynia / PL Mr VALCÁRCEL SISO Ramón Luis Murcia / ES Mr VAN DEN BRANDE Luc Vlaanderen / BE President of the CoR Mr VAUZELLE Michel Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur / FR Mr VENDOLA Nichi Puglia / IT Ms VIDMAR Jasmina Maribor / SI
88
MEDITERRANEAN PARTNERS GROUP
TITLE SURNAME NAME CITY, REGION / COUNTRY CODE Mr ABDEL LATIF Lobna Cairo / EG Mr ADDOU Mohamed Kebir Alger / DZ Mr AL-BASHIR Amer Greater Amman / JO Mr AL-HNAIFAT Khalid Greater Tafilah / JO Mr ALI Erfan Municipal Administration Modernization Program / SY Mr BENNOUR Karim Hydra / DZ Mr BOUCHBOUT Shlomo Ma'alot-Tarshiha / IL Mr BOUDRA Mohamed Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate / MA Mr BOUSSOUF Rabah Wilaya de Constantine / DZ Mr CHABAT Abdelhamid Fez / MA Mr DJURAGIĆ Mario Republika Srpska / BA Mr ELABI Adel Damascus / SY Mr EL DAKAK Said Qalyubiya / EG Mr EL JAMALI Rachid Fayha’a / LB Ms EL KHIEL Fatna Arbaoua / MA Mr GOLUBOVIĆ Vuka Berane / ME Mr GÜRÜN Osman Muğla / TR Mr GÜZELBEY Asim Gaziantep / TR Mr HAMZA Ahmed Nouakchott / MR Mr HUSSEIN Adly Qalyubiya / EG Mr JAKOVČIĆ Ivan Istria / HR Mr KATICIN Danijel Tkon / HR Ms KELLINY Georgette Cairo / EG Mr KERTUSHA Seid Durres / AL Mr LABIB Adel Alexandria / EG Mr LUCA Lorenc Shkoder / AL Mr MANSOUR Ahmad Aleppo / SY Mr MLIKA Mohamed Mehdi Sousse / TN Mr MOHAMMED MARICHE Hocine Tizi Rached / DZ Mr MOUSSA DEMBA Sow Kaédi / MR Mr NAUFAL Nouhad Kesserouen / LB Mr OK İsmail Balikesir / TR Mr OUALALOU Fathallah Rabat / MA Mr RAIMBERT Christian Monaco / MC Mr SELMANOVIĆ Erdal Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina / BA Mr TOPBAŞ Kadir Istanbul / TR Mr YAHAV Yona Haifa / IL ______
89
90 9.1 COUNCIL OF EUROPEAN MUNICIPALITIES AND REGIONS EUROPEAN SECTION OF UNITED CITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
CALENDAR OF CEMR STATUTORY MEETINGS IN 2010
6 23 February Executive Bureau Barcelona
6 4-5 March Secretaries General and Directors Nicosia
6 26-28 April UCLG Executive Bureau Chicago
6 3-4 June Policy Committee Oslo
6 End of August / Summer University of local and regional place to be defined early September elected representatives
6 23-25 September Secretaries General and Directors Ukraine (to be confirmed)
6 16-20 November UCLG World Congress Mexico City (to be confirmed)
6 6-7 December Policy Committee Mondorf-les-Bains (Luxembourg)
91
92 9.2 COUNCIL OF EUROPEAN MUNICIPALITIES AND REGIONS EUROPEAN SECTION OF UNITED CITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
PROVISIONAL CALENDAR OF CEMR EVENTS
2 0 1 0
February
22-24 BARCELONA European Summit of Local Governments
23 BARCELONA Executive Bureau
March
4-5 NICOSIA Secretaries General and Directors
10-11 BUCHAREST Seminar of PLATFORMA
16 BRUSSELS Working group on transport
17 BRUSSELS Joint meeting of the working group on transport and the working group on public services and procurement
18 BRUSSELS Working group on public services and procurement
24 BRUSSELS Network on energy issues
25-26 TALLINN Seminar on twinning
30-31 BRUSSELS Joint meeting of the working group on cohesion and territorial policy and the working group on employment and social policy
April
12 BRUSSELS Working group on environment
26-28 CHICAGO UCLG Executive Bureau
26 BRUSSELS Employers’ Platform
27 BRUSSELS Working group of the sectoral social dialogue committee (CEMR-EPSU)
May
4 BRUSSELS 2nd Covenant of Mayors ceremony
5-7 VITÓRIA-GASTEIZ 2nd Forum of Local Authorities of the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean
6-7 STOCKHOLM Seminar on the implementation of the European Charter for equality of women and men in local life
19-21 DUNKERQUE 6th European sustainable cities and towns conference
20-22 BILBAO EISCO Conference (European Information Society Conference)
25 BRUSSELS Plenary of the sectoral social dialogue committee (CEMR-EPSU)
93
(May)
26 BRUSSELS Employers’ Platform
End of May ANDALUSIA Seminar of PLATFORMA [def.]
June
3-4 OSLO Policy Committee
17-18 MALTA Seminar on twinning
August
End of August / [def.] Summer University of local and regional elected representatives early September
September
14-15 MUNICH Working group on publics services and procurement [tbc]
20-21 LILLEHAMMER Joint meeting of the working group on cohesion and territorial policy and the [tbc] policy group on information society and e-government
23-25 UKRAINE Secretaries General and Directors [tbc]
30-1ST October DELFT Joint meeting of the working group on environment and the network on energy issues
October
20 BRUSSELS Employers’ Platform
21 BRUSSELS Working group of the sectoral social dialogue committee (CEMR-EPSU)
November
16-20 MEXICO CITY UCLG World Congress [tbc]
[def.] COLOGNE Seminar on twinning
December
6-7 MONDORF-LES-BAINS Policy Committee (Luxembourg)
9 BRUSSELS Employers’ Platform
10 BRUSSELS Plenary of the sectoral social dialogue committee (CEMR-EPSU)
NB: [def.] = to be defined - [tbc] = to be confirmed
94