Archived News Items - June 2008

European Grouping of Territorial Co-operation Posted June 30
The MOT has just published the seventh issue of its “MOT Guides” on the European grouping of territorial cooperation (EGTC), the new instrument for European territorial cooperation. Please find attached a press release on this publication. The MOT Guides are available at www.espaces-transfrontaliers.eu (in French and in English).

The European project “Managing Urban Europe-25 (MUE-25)” Posted June 30
The European project “Managing Urban Europe-25 (MUE-25)” worked with 25 European local and regional authorities to improve their environmental quality and sustainability performance. The project, which ran from 2006 to 2008, delivered a framework for better implementation of already existing environmental management systems like EMAS, ISO 14001 and ecoBUDGET. It provides a method for how cities and regions can practically work with integrated management, an approach recommended in many EU policies and strategies of today. More

Urban Indicators for Managing Cities: Cities Data Book Posted June 30
Edited by Victoria de Villa and Matthew S. Westfall.
Nowhere is the urban challenge more starkly evident than in Asia. Many cities lack data and information on urban conditions and trends, which has undermined their ability to understand and manage the complex forces of urban growth and change. The 460-page Cities Data Book explores the theory, development and application of urban indicator systems for improved urban management and performance measurement, and presents the findings from a pilot exercise undertaken in 18 cites in the Asia and Pacific region. The book provides a detailed approach to applying the policy-based urban indicator system in other cities for improved urban management. More

WASTE DIRECTIVE: CEMR, COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS AND ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE Posted June 30
The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) have adopted a joint statement sent to the members of the European Parliament on the review of the waste framework directive. The joint statement was issued ahead of the vote in plenary session in Strasbourg on 19 June. CEMR calls for MEPs to give without further amendments a broad support to the compromise package negotiated between the Council and the rapporteur of the European Parliament

Take part to the European Local Democracy Week Posted June 30
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities together with the European Committee on Local and Regional Democracy are organising the European Local Democracy Week (ELDW), from 13 to 17 October 2008. The week is a new annual European event with simultaneous national and local events. It will be organised by participating local governments in all Council of Europe Member States in order to foster the knowledge of local democracy and promote the idea of democratic participation at a local level. Local governments are free to choose a more suitable week to organise their events in the framework of the ELDW. The week including 15 October has been chosen for holding this event as the European Charter of Local Self-Government was opened for signature on that date in 1985. The ELDW was first launched in 2007 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Council of Europe's advocacy for local democracy. The European Charter of Local Self-Government was adopted by the Council of Europe. It derives from the European Charter of municipal liberties launched by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) in 1953.

REFERENDUM: EUROPE'S TOWNS AND REGIONS DISAPPOINTED Posted June 30
The president of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) and mayor of Vienna, Michael Häupl, has expressed his disappointment in the wake of the rejection of the Lisbon treaty in the Irish referendum. Though we entirely respect the decision of the Irish people, CEMR cannot help being disappointed by the outcome of the referendum, said Michael Häupl. The treaty not only helps to improve the EU's decision-making processes, it also strengthens the role of local and regional government within the EU in very important respects. Until now, we have been the hidden partners in the shaping of Europe. We are therefore very pleased that the principle of local and regional self-government is at last recognized in the treaties

ICT key driver for city growth Posted June 30
UN-HABITAT’s latest research, presented at the 7th annual Asia-Pacific ‘City Informatization’ in Shanghai, China, shows that information and communication technology is a key driver for city growth. The international meeting was attended by over 400 delegates from all sectors including the private sector, academia, city authorities, and the United Nations. According to UN-HABITAT’s research, communications services and trade account for almost 16% of city growth. This is because Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) enable cities to extend their powers, markets and outreach geographically. They facilitate creation of new types of new services and improve the performance of existing industries and this in turn accelerates the growth of cities. ICTs also make easier businesses to separate their functions geographically and locate them in the most appropriate cities and countries to minimize labour costs or access the latest research and marketing opportunities. The agency’s research also shows that, equally, the growth of ICTs is also driven by cities. This is because demand for information technology is highest in cities where disposable incomes are higher, where there is a culture of modernization, and where internationally oriented firms rely heavily on the technology. UN-HABITAT stressed the need for global development efforts to focus on promoting balanced ICT development for all, including for the poor and vulnerable. Currently, most investment in ICT in developing countries tends to favour rich business districts and high income residential areas while ICT usage is highest among an elite group of high income, educated and younger people. Globally, it is the poor nations that are lagging behind, mainly due to lack of ICT infrastructure, ICT skills and shortage of local applications and content.

How to conciliate Europe and local public services? (AFCCRE seminar) Posted June 30
Which European framework for local public services? This will be the main question of the seminar organised by the French Association of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (AFCCRE), on 11 July 2008, in Paris.

The seminar will aim to exchange views on the need for legal certainty for local governments in the field of public services. Another objective will be to provide proposals to the French Presidency of the EU due to begin on July 1.

The seminar will be two-fold: a first session on local services of general interest - the demand of clarification of European rules ; and a second session on the European framework for local services of general interest after 2007 evolutions.

Participants will include representatives from French and European local governments (AFCCRE, AICCRE, CCRE, APC, DSTGB), members of the European Parliament and of the Committee of the Regions, as well as the French Minister of State in charge of European affairs.

Experts and representatives from local governments are invited to participate in the seminar. Please return the registration form before 1 July at the latest (compulsory registration). More

The Mediterranean goes local! Posted June 30
Give the new Union for the Mediterranean a local and regional dimension – that was the call sent out on Monday from the Forum of over 300 representatives of the towns and regions from the Mediterranean basin this week.

Meeting in Marseille, the delegates discussed the ways of strengthening their role for peace, development and cohesion in the Mediterranean “space”. They adopted a Declaration addressed to the heads of state and government who will meet on 13th July to launch the new Union under the French EU Presidency, setting out all the different issues on which European, national, regional and local need to work together – economic development, the environment and degradation of natural resources, water, health and social integration.

Among the many associations and networks present, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) played an active role. Speaking for CEMR, Wolfgang Schuster, Mayor of Stuttgart welcomed the idea of a new framework to support action in the Mediterranean region, which should include the main active associations as well as the Committee of the Regions. He also underlined the important role of twinning between cities and local governments around the region. [Click here for summary]

Louis le Pensec, President of the French section of CEMR, the AFCCRE, also pressed for national governments to use the local and regional government contribution more effectively in tackling the challenges of the Mediterranean. This must be based on the principles of economic, social and territorial cohesion, and on a real inter-cultural dialogue between peoples.

The meeting was addressed, on behalf of the French Government, by Rama Yade, Secretary of state for human rights. In her speech she critisised the Barcelona process which was launched in 1995 to deepen relations between the European Union and and its Southern neighbours. This conference aimed among other things to identify and underline the reasons why the Barcelona process did not reach the targeted goals (...) But the outcome of the Barcelona process was not as promised: it primarily aimed to help the South, not to launch a real and strong partnership (...) Barcelona is a one-way flow. It all comes from the North. With Barcelona, it is up to Europe to decide. With Barcelona, it is the North helping the South.

The Forum was organised by the Mediterranean Committee of the world organisation, UCLG, and was hosted by the City of Marseille and the Region PACA (Provence-Alpes-Côtes d'Azur).

Water and local governments - Vienna, 09/09/08 Posted June 30
The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is co-organising a conference on water issues, with United Cities and Local Government and the International Water Association on 9 September 2008 in Vienna.

The event will bring together elected representatives as well as water managers and experts to discuss the organisation of water services, and assess how local authorities can implement sustainable water management.

Some 300 delegates will address the legal, financial and organisational framework of water management, the impact of increasing economic growth and urbanisation, and the challenges of climate change.

The conference will take place alongside the world water congress organised by the International Water Association, from 7 to 12 September 2008 in Vienna. The congress is expected to bring together some 3,000 experts on water issues from around the world.

Draft programme of the Local Government's Day on water issues

City Development Strategies (CDS) in Namibia focusing on local Employment Posted June 30

Over 30 representatives of local authorities, national government and international Institutions gathered in Windhoek 11-12 June, within the framework of the UCLG-Cities Alliance City Future Programme to support the Association of Local Authorities Namibia (ALAN) in the definition of a programme aiming at promoting the development of nationwide city development strategies with a focus on local employment.

Namibia is mainly a rural country with low population density and 2 million people inhabiting a vast area, therefore small and medium sized cities are the main agents of development. These cities face the challenge of migration to larger cities and the improvement of employment opportunities will be crucial to ensure further growth and development. Namibian local governments, share the concern about migration and the need to maintain regional population balances, supported by their national association and other UCLG members from the African region they gathered during two days trying to find solutions to address this issue.

The workshop involved all government levels including the Namibian Ministry of Local Government and was a major step forward in gathering all actors. UCLG members and longstanding partners of the Namibian Association, such as the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the South African Local Government Association confirmed their commitment and support to the initiative.

In the spirit of peer to peer cooperation, the city of Durban has partnered with six Namibian municipalities in a city-to-city mentoring process to advance strategic planning capacities. As a result, Namibian local authorities and the association received valuable hands on experience of the recent development tools an practices CDS in South Africa.

Zaragoza hosts climate action leaders at ICLEI European Member convention Posted June 30
June 25, 2008
A strategic message has been sent to the world by cities, towns, counties and regions in view of the international post-2012 climate negotiations during the ICLEI European Membership Convention, held in Zaragoza from 23 to 25 June 2008. The message is that local governments recognize the need for, and are committed to, action against climate change. They can and will help their national governments reach their greenhouse emissions reduction targets. But to do so effectively they need to be empowered and supported.

Juan Alberto Belloch, Mayor of Zaragoza and host city of the Convention, encouraged the delegates from 25 countries to help shape this important path for Europe and for the rest of the world. “A majority of people live in cities, which have become huge consumption centres. Using raw materials, resources and energy, all contribute to a negative ecological print, and, above all, make cities very vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Zaragoza advocates sustainability. As the city also hosting the EXPO 2008 - the International Exhibition on ‘Water and Sustainable Development” - Mayor Belloch highlighted water as a critical element in the climate debate – both from a mitigation and adaptation perspective.

The urgency of climate change mitigation requires the response of all levels of governments and society. To this end, in Bali in 2007 local governments jointly embarked on a global process to accompany the national roadmap of the Conference of the Parties (COP) 14, to be discussed in Poznan in December 2008, and decided on at the COP 15 in Copenhagen next year.

Cities and towns have now been discussing their role and their need for an optimal impact on climate change mitigation and adaptation activities – to protect their citizens, use their resources effectively and sustainably, and with a vision to contribute to global justice and equity.

They have, in Zaragoza, been discussing the need for improved national-local frameworks and partnerships, to build on pilot actions and progress across Europe. Now is the time to mainstream local climate action in cities and towns.
ICLEI has also used the opportunity to encourage mayors to sign the European Covenant of Mayors - a regional development encouraging the more than 100.000 local governments in Europe to engage in climate protection.
The ICLEI Membership Convention clearly highlighted the strong commitment of European local governments to tackle, in concert with national and regional governments, the challenge of climate protection. Through the exchange of best practices, interaction with environmental experts and the joint definition of strategies for environmental protection and the amelioration of climate change in the urban context, attending representatives of local governments showed their intent to make that commitment very real indeed.

European mayors sign on a more active climate policy in Europe Posted June 5
Freiburg, 4 June 2008 - On May 22, 2008 the Mayors of Delft (Netherlands), Grenoble (France), Växjö (Sweden) with the consent of the Mayors of Kaunas (Lithuania), Miskolc (Hungary) and Vastseliina (Estonia) signed the Grenoble Declaration and thus committed to achieve and even go beyond the European Union target:
- at least a 20% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 compared to 1990;
- 20% share of renewable energies in overall EU energy consumption by 2020;
- 20% savings of EU's energy consumption by 2020.

Furthermore, the Mayors urge the European Union to take action on a more active climate policy.

The cities want the European Union to:
- strongly emphasise the more efficient use of currently-used energy sources and encourage the extensive production of renewable energy,
- subscribe to the principle of a climate tax on energy,
- invest in and stimulate sustainable energy measures at local level using the funds generated from above mentioned point,
- motivate actors in the construction and building management sector to apply energy efficient measures in the whole building process, from a sustainable life cycle perspective,
- support local governments and their associations to ensure they are empowered to lead the way in community sustainable energy development and local climate protection.

From 20 to 22 May the city of Grenoble hosted the annual General Assembly of the CONCERTO - SESAC project gathering administrators and energy experts. The Grenoble Declaration was drafted during this event. These six European cities are participating in the SESAC project which is part of the CONCERTO programme of the European Union.

EcoProcura 2009, Climate Neutral through Procurement Posted June 5
25-27 March 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland
ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability and Reykjavik City Council are pleased to announce the EcoProcura 2009 conference: Climate Neutral through Procurement.

The aim of this conference is to exchange ideas, experiences, concepts and opinions on how sustainable procurement can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to climate change.

This unique meeting place provides a platform to promote exchange amongst purchasers from all levels of governments, policy-makers, product designers, suppliers, manufacturers and multipliers.

The conference will:

- Present the key challenges caused by climate change and how sustainable procurement can support mitigation and adaptation strategies without compromising on social and economic aspects.

- Provide a dynamic environment within which cities and the private sector can explore the needs and types of sustainable products and services required by public authorities and the solutions offered by businesses.

- Present how procurement can drive innovation and act as a launching pad for new sustainable technologies.

- Discuss the opportunities for early market engagement between public authority procurers and suppliers in the pre-procurement phase.

- Develop a position on how sustainable procurement can play a role in the global climate debate towards a post 2012 global climate agreement to be developed at the United Nations Climate Summit in Copenhagen 2009.

Registration will open in July 2008. Latest conference information is available at: www.iclei.org/ecoprocura2009

ICLEI on the search for Europe's Green Capitals Posted June 5
ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability is part of an exciting new initiative just launched by the European Commission.

A new annual European Green Capital Award, to be given each year to a city that is leading the way with environmentally friendly urban living was launched on 22 May 2008 and the online application process is now open for 2010 and 2011. Any European city with a population of more than 200,000 can apply, and a jury, which includes ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, will select the winning cities for 2010 and 2011 later on this year.

Environmentally friendly frontrunners:

Starting in 2010, one European city will be selected as the European Green Capital of the year. The award will be given to a city that has a consistent record of achieving high environmental standards, is permanently committed to ambitious action, further environmental improvement and sustainable development, and can act as a role model to inspire other cities and promote best practices in all other European cities.

Urban Europe:

The European Green Capital Award has been conceived as an initiative to promote and reward these efforts. The award shows that a city wants to - and does! - solve environmental problems so as to improve the quality of life of its citizens and reduce the burden it imposes on the global environment as a whole. It provides an incentive for cities to inspire each other and share best practices, while at the same time engaging in friendly competition.

Green cities of tomorrow:

The award scheme is open to the 27 EU Member States, candidate countries (Turkey, FYROM and Croatia) and European Economic Area countries (Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein). All EU cities with more than 200,000 inhabitants can apply for the European Green Capital Award via an online application form. Entries will be assessed on the basis of ten environmental criteria including climate change, transport, air, waste and water. The deadline for applications for both the 2010 and 2011 titles is 1 October 2008, with jury selection leading to a decision later this year.

The jury is composed of representatives from the European Commission, the European Environment Agency, ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, the European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E), the Union of Capitals of the European Union and the Committee of the Regions.

For more information, please contact the Green Capital secretariat directly at greencapital-secretariat@cowi.com or consult the website: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/europeangreencapital/index_en.htm .

Changes in the organisation of public services: CEMR and EPSU's joint conference Posted June 1 2008
The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) and the European federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) are organising a joint conference on “Changes in the organisation of public services”. on Tuesday 3 June 2008 in Brussels.
The conference aims to present the results of their joint project. It will look at how local and regional governments are adapting the way their services are organised in order to face the new challenges. It will also explore how this change process can be successfully managed through cooperation and dialogue between employers and employees.

The event will be organised around five themes:

• Delivering public services at regional and local level: the role of social dialogue in facing challenges and seizing opportunities
• Main drivers for change and trends in services delivery at regional and municipal level: what lessons for social partners?
• Innovative solutions to improve quality of services
• Managing the process of change through partnership solutions
• Modernisation of public service provision: how is the local and regional government responding to the new challenges?

http://www.ccre.org/docs/Registration_form_20_mai_08.doc

MORE: a new website for interregional cooperation Posted June 1 2008
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe launches on 9 June in Brussels its new website for interregional cooperation MORE (Matching Opportunities for Regions in Europe).
This new website aims to help regions of Europe to find potential partners for any type of European co-operation and to share experiences and good co-operation practices. The search for partners can be done with the number of inhabitants, the type of cooperation envisaged, the areas of expertise...
CEMR welcomes the initiative of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and the quality of the website. MORE will rapidly become the perfect tool for transfrontier co-operation since its user-friendly aspect will help concerned authorities to find partners easily. I'm sure that MORE will be a success story in whole Europe, says CEMR secretary general Jeremy Smith.

MORE is a service of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. It was developed and implemented with the support of the Italian government and is brought to you in co-operation with the Committee of the Regions of the European Union and the Council of European Municipalities and Regions.
http//www.loreg.coe.int/more/DefaultTransborder.aspx

ICLEI mayors tell the UN about cities & biodiversity Posted June 1 2008
On Thursday (29 May 2008) the local government representatives of over 100 million city dwellers from all over the world submitted the “Bonn Call for Action” to the plenary session of the ministerial segment of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in Bonn.

Watch the press conference webcast http://unfccc.meta-fusion.com/kongresse/CBD2008_2/templ/ply_cbd.php?id_kongresssession=1145&player_mode=isdn_real

Mayor Bärbel Dieckmann of Bonn delivered the statement, which had been formulated during the Mayors Conference from 26 to 28 May, with her colleagues from Curitiba, Montreal and Nagoya.

“We, the cities, want to take action!” declared Ms. Dieckmann and went on to add that “We want to make the step from commitment and concepts to concrete action and for that we require a global partnership”

150 local government representatives from over 30 different countries accepted Ms. Dieckmann’s invitation to come to Bonn and discuss how the opportunities of the communities to take action and make decisions could be even better used for species and climate protection.

UN-HABITAT accepting local governments nominations for the Habitat Scroll of Honor Posted June 1 2008

Launched in 1989, the Scroll acknowledges initiatives that have made outstanding contributions in providing adequate shelter for all and advancing sustainable urban development.

This year, special focus will be given to achievements in the areas of socio-economic equality, environmental sustainability and cultural identity in cities.

ELIGIBILITY
All Habitat agenda partners are eligible. These include governments and inter-governmental organizations or agencies includ ing bilateral aid agencies; cities, local authorities or their associations; civil society organizations; private sector organizations; National Habitat committees or focal points; research and academic institutions; public or private foundations; multilateral agencies, the media and individuals cited for their outstanding work.

SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY ONLINE
Submit your nomination now at www.unhabitat.org/whd before 31 July 2008.

UNEP and UN-HABITAT Launch Publications extending “Local Action for Biodiversity” Posted June 1 2008
UN-HABITAT and UNEP, in collaboration with the Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) on Wednesday launched two publications with selected case studies from around the world on cities, ecosystems and biodiversity.

The function was held during the Mayors’ Conference – a parallel event to the 9th Conference of the Parties of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity - in Bonn Germany on 28 May 2008

Though only occupying 2% of the total land surface of Earth, cities use 75% of the planet’s natural resources. This fact, combined with increasing levels of urbanization and subsequent heavy reliance on ecosystem services has resulted in a multitude of threats including: habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, over-exploitation of natural resources, invasion of alien species, pollution and climate change.

Conversely, in the words of Achim Steiner, UNEP’s Executive Director, “there are many shining examples of intelligent management of the planet's nature-based resources. The time has come to accelerate and replicate them across the globe backed by sufficient finance, creative market mechanisms, and strengthening of efforts to achieve the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity, including access to genetic resources and benefit sharing, and a new sense of urgency.”

The two publications titled ‘Promoting Biodiversity in and around the Lake Victoria basin’ and ‘Local Action for Biodiversity, a Series of Local Cases’ highlights selected case studies from the Lake Victoria basin and around the world and describes how cities are cooperating with national governments and other key partners to utilize and conserve their surroundings.

Fresh action on sustainable urban development in the Asia-Pacific Posted June 1 2008
The second Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development (APMCHUD) held in the Iranian capital Tehran brought a fresh focus on sustainable urban development through associating growth with equity and identity.

Drawing government ministers and representatives from 37 countries, the three-day meeting 12-15 May 2008, led to the adoption of an action plan to guide regional cooperation in the area of sustainable urban development, which also underpins UN-HABITAT’s Medium-term Strategic and Institutional Plan for 2008-2011. The action plan focuses on five key themes –
urban and rural planning management, urban slum upgrading, water and sanitation, housing finance and natural disasters.

In his opening address, Mr. Mohammad Saieedikia, Minister for Housing and Urban Development of the Islamic Republic of Iran, expressed concern over the rapid pace of urbanisation in the Asia-Pacific region and the associated consequences for social and environmental sustainability, including growing inequality and threats to cultural identity and heritage.

Indeed, it was indicated during the course of the meeting that, with the current average urbanization rate of 42 percent and a growth rate of 2.5 percent in the region, cities in the Asia Pacific will have to accommodate an additional 1.7 billion people in the next 40 years. This will represent a doubling of the current urban population.

India’s Minister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Ms. Kumari Selja, whose country hosted the inaugural APMCHUD session in December 2006, called for the expansion housing finance strategies to improve affordability and access, especially to curb the proliferation of slums and information settlements in cities of the region. Noting the challenge of widespread inequality and poverty in cities in the region, she appealed for “comprehensive strategies for an inclusive growth and equitable approach whereby the quality of life of all the citizens are improved at large”.
http://hq.unhabitat.org/content.asp?cid=5708&catid=5&typeid=6&subMenuId=0