A new annual International Mayors Congress for mayors, local government leaders, and other local development stakeholders will be held in Kyiv on December 5-6, 2016, according to Ukraine Today.
The Mayors Congress will become a platform for a dialogue and knowledge exchange between experts and activists of local development, aimed to spread best practices, innovative solutions and boost the competitiveness of cities, Ukraine Today reports.
Global trends and innovation in local development, Smart City practices, urbanism and cooperation of local authorities with business and civil society will be key topics for discussion at the Congress. The program also includes an exhibition of opportunities for cities development, such as available grant and loan programs for municipalities, technical assistance projects from international financial organizations and public initiatives.
Ukrainian and international mayors, local government leaders, representatives of relevant Ukrainian authorities and international experts will join the Congress.
International Mayors Congress was launched as a joint initiative of the Agency for Strategic Communications and Development ”Joint Efforts” and Western NIS Enterprise Fund.
”The Congress provides a unique opportunity to get inspired by foreign experiences, and even more – to learn from Ukrainian colleagues who have already implemented important changes in their cities. Local community is a great resource and support for a mayor, and its involvement is a sign of a responsible leadership,” said Iryna Ozymok, Local Economic Development Program Manager, Western NIS Enterprise Fund.
Ruslan Rokhov, Chairman at the Joint Efforts Agency has added: ”The process of decentralization has given local governments new opportunities and resources, but they need to use them effectively. The first step to strengthen the local government capacity was `School of Mayors` program. Now, together with our partners, we form an important platform for Ukraine, where mayors and their teams will learn about global trends in urban development and share best Ukrainian and international local governance practices. The International Congress of Mayors is going to be such platform.”
