The Green and digital transition,
cohesion policy and citizens' participation in decision-making
processes are the issues at the centre of the 2021 European Week
of Regions and Cities (#EURegionsWeek).
The top event of the year devoted to regional policy takes place
in Brussels from Monday until Thursday
This year the four-day event is dedicated to the post-pandemic
recovery and it is bringing together governors, mayors,
councillors, experts and journalists to discuss the future of EU
local authorities over 300 sessions.
"It is now time for #EURegionsWeek, under the motto 'Together
for Recovery' to support regions and cities in consolidating
inclusive recovery," Elisa Ferreira, the European Commissioner
for Cohesion and Reforms, wrote in TerritoriALL, the magazine
published by the ESPON research programme.
She said the context for this was marked by three major
milestones - the adoption of the legal and policy framework for
the 2021-27 funding programmes, the UN Climate Conference
(COP26) and the Conference on the Future of Europe.
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the President of the Committee of
Regions, stressed the importance of involving local actors,
which are responsible for the application of 70% of EU laws, in
the design and implementation of the National Recovery and
Resilience Plans (NRRPs).
He said failure to involve these actors would be "a threat to
Europe's recovery".
The second European Week of Regions and Cities to take place in
the time of COVID-19 could also be the occasion for the Brussels
debut of the new members of the Committee of Regions, including
Tuscany Governor Eugenio Giani and Guido Castelli, a member of
the Marche regional executive.
The 'Barometer' published by the Committee on the pandemic's
impact on regions, cities and villages will help speak up for
Europe's regions and cities.
Among the new things of this #EURegionsWeek is the announcement
of the results of the first survey of European local
councillors, who number over one million in the 27 EU States,
commissioned by the European Committee of Regions and inspired
by the Conference on the Future of Europe.
During the period of the event the plenary meeting of the
European Committee of Regions will take place.
The programme includes discussions with Slovenian Prime Minister
Janez Jansa about the priorities of the European Council, with
European Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius about
the climate emergency in view of COP26, with European Crisis
Management Commissioner Janez Lenarcic and Special
Representative of the UN Secretary-General Mami Mizutori on
natural disasters and Commissioner Vice-President Dubravka Suica
on the future of Europe.
It is possible to follow #EURegionsWeek via this link:
https://eu.app.swapcard.com/event/eu-regions-week
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