International networking on urban development at the UCLG World Congress
The Congress of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) took place from 11 till 15 November 2019 in Durban. The gathering was attended by various experts and leaders – mayors, local elected officials, the representatives of cities, metropolises and regions, academics… - in order to establish ties and elaborate policies aimed at transforming society and improving local governance for and by the people. The Brussels-Capital Region was also in attendance.
The Global Fund for Cities Development (FMDV) and Metropolis were represented at the UCLG Congress in various panel discussions. The two associations took advantage of the opportunity to hold several meetings in which the Brussels-Capital Region (BCR) took part. For the BCR, participation in such networks promotes the exchange of innovative ideas and sustainable policy measures, with a view to meeting the social, economic and environmental challenges it faces.
Annual meeting of the FMDV
During the FMDV annual meeting, the BCR was re-elected as Vice-President of this organisation. The Brussels-Capital Region will continue its cooperation with the FMDV in terms of affordable housing policies, in particular through the Community Land Trust Brussels. It will also continue to discuss urban development challenges, its financing and the role of the local economy in this on a more global scale, by participating in international conferences.
Meetings of the Regional Secretaries and the Executive and Financial Committee of Metropolis
The Brussels-Capital Region participated in two meetings that were organised by Metropolis, as the treasurer of this international association, namely the meeting of the Regional Secretaries and the meeting of the Executive and Financial Committee.
These meetings discussed the financial sustainability of Metropolis, as well as the work carried out in the framework of urban diplomacy. They were also a good opportunity to focus on the localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), capacity building for metropolitan governance with the implementation of pilot projects and the Urban Sustainability Exchange (USE) platform.
