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The delegation of the Union of Communities of Armenia will participate in the World Congress of United Cities and Local Governments: Eurasia, which will take place on June 22-26 in Tangier, Morocco. This year’s congress is being held under the theme “The New Generation of Universal Local Public Services.”
The Armenian delegation includes Armen Harutyunyan, Director General of the Union of Communities of Armenia, and Garik Sargsyan, Mayor of Vedi, the Union of Communities of Armenia said in a press release.
“United Cities and Local Governments: Eurasia” is the Eurasian regional branch of the global organization “United Cities and Local Governments” (UCLG). The global organization brings together more than 240,000 cities, communities, regions, and metropolises from 140 countries around the world, representing the interests of more than 70% of the world’s population. It is recognized by the United Nations as the main partner of local and regional authorities and has played an important role in shaping the Sustainable Development Goal focused on “Sustainable Cities and Communities.”
The World Congress in Tangier will bring together more than 3,000 local and regional leaders, mayors, governors, members of municipal councils, civil society representatives, and partners from international organizations. Within the framework of the congress, meetings of the General Assembly, World Council, and Executive Bureau will take place, during which key decisions regarding the future development of the international local government movement will be discussed and adopted.
The event will also provide an opportunity for regional structures to present their priorities, share best practices in local governance, and showcase innovative solutions. Participants will discuss current challenges facing communities, as well as present successful initiatives and development models.
During his speech, Armen Harutyunyan, Director General of the Union of Communities of Armenia, will address the key role of communities in national development, strengthening democracy, and ensuring sustainable progress. He will present Armenia’s experience in community development, recent achievements, and future prospects, emphasizing that strong communities are the foundation of a strong and competitive state.
The speech, built around the idea that “A strong community is the foundation of a strong country,” will also highlight initiatives aimed at developing local self-government, improving the efficiency of community management, enhancing public services, and improving citizens’ quality of life.
Garik Sargsyan’s speech will focus on Armenia’s practical experience in the fields of climate planning and adaptation. In particular, he will present the results of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s “Green Cities” program, within the framework of which, in cooperation with GCoM (Global Covenant of Mayors), climate adaptation action plans have been developed and implemented in several Armenian cities. This experience demonstrates the effectiveness of combining international cooperation with local solutions in strengthening the climate resilience of communities.
“United Cities and Local Governments: Eurasia” represents the interests of local and regional authorities from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia, covering a vast geographic area with a population of around 300 million people. The organization’s headquarters are located in Kazan.