Friday, 17. 11. 2017

Conclusion of the EUROCITIES conference

The EUROCITIES conference the main theme of which was circular economy concluded in Ljubljana.

In the closing part the European Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc addressed the participants stressing the importance of good cooperation between cities. She added she is interested in hearing proposals from cities and wants to open a dialogue with them, and she ended her address with the words that circular economy is the right path into the future but we have to be aware that it is in the hands of the consumers. That is why awareness has to be raised among them and available options presented to direct them on the right path.

This was followed by closing addresses from Abdeluheb Choho, Chair of EUROCITIES Environment Forum, Daniël Tremont, President of EUROCITIES and Mayor of Ghent, and Zoran Janković, Mayor of Ljubljana.

Choho stressed the key role of cities in promoting circular economy, Tremont presented the campaign #CITIES4EUROPE EUROPE FOR CITIZENS, the aim of which is to ensure a bright future for Europe where people always come first.

Eurocities

Mayor Zoran Janković thanked all conference participants and invited them to visit Ljubljana again with their families and friends. »Welcome to Ljubljana, you have friends here«, pointed out the Mayor and added he is proud of the positive atmosphere prevailing during the whole conference in Ljubljana. He continued we need to understand each other and work together despite our differences. Cities are prepared to share good practices and cooperate with each other as we are aware that we can succeed only with world-wide city cooperation, as the Mayor is convinced.

Edinburg, host of the 2018 conference

Edinburg

Next year Edinburg is hosting the EUROCITIES conference and Lord Provost of Edinburgh Frank Ross said its main theme is going to be Creative Competitive Cities. He also stressed the importance of cooperation between cities and added the aim of the main theme is to highlight that creativity and culture raise the quality of life at all levels. He also presented a young conference ambassador, namely, next year is Scotland's year of young people therefore their proposals and ideas are also going to be heard at the conference.