Today the meeting on the development of the Eurasian section of the world organization "United Cities and Local Governments" held in Kazan City Hall. The meeting was chaired by co-president of the UCLG, the President of the Eurasian section, Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin and it was attended by President of UCLG and Mayor of Istanbul Kadir Topbas. Mayor of Istanbul has arrived to the capital of the Republic of Tatatarstan on a working visit.
Mayor of Kazan, Ilsur Metshin greeted the guests: "We are very glad to welcome you, Mr. Topbas here in the Kazan for the fourth time! I would like to note that in this difficult foreign policy situation, we especially feel the shoulder and support of the brotherly and friendly Turkish people. "
Mayor of Kazan stressed the importance of the organization of UCLG, which allows municipalities to share a positive experience in solving urgent problems of urban policy. Also he has noted the experience of Istanbul in building interfaith relations, a harmonious combination of innovation and preservation of traditions, which can also be applied in Kazan.
In his turn the Mayor of Istanbul said that with each of visit he noticed the significant changes taking place in the capital of Tatarstan."Kazan is playing an increasingly important role in the international arena and reaches a new level, make the city known all over the world," - said Kadir Topbas. Sports and cultural events that take place in the capital of Tatarstan are at a very high level; they contribute to city’s development and lead to significant positive changes.
Then, the floor was given to the Secretary General of the Eurasian section of UCLG, Rasikh Sagitov, who presented a report on the activities of the organization and presented three initiatives.
The first initiative is Cities International Activity Rating. The rating will be conducted by the secretariat of the Eurasian section of UCLG, together with an expert group, which will include scientists and experts in the field of international cooperation. Developments of the expert group and the Secretariat will be approved by the Expert Panel of the UCLG-Eurasia.
- In July 2015, during the Eurasia Local Governments Congress in Kazan it is planned to introduce the results of the first rating, which will be held among the cities of the Eurasian section of UCLG on the results of 2014.
- The second is holding of the meeting of the UCLG Executive Bureau in June 2016 in Kazan. It is worth noting that in the history of the World Organization none of statutory event of UCLG, never been hold neither in Russia, nor in any other country in the Eurasian region.
- And the third, but no less important initiative is Eurasia Local Governments Congress in July 2015 that brings together local and regional leaders of the Eurasian region. This Congress will be held in Kazan in the days of the FINA World Championships 2015. The 16th FINA World Championships will be held in Kazan, Russia from 24 July to 9 August 2015.
At the end of the meeting, Ilsur Metshin invited the President of UCLG to take an active part in the Congress of Local Governments of Eurasia in July this year during the FINA World Championships.
Kadir Topbas said that he is ready to support all announced initiatives announced and will be happy to come to Kazan during its important sporting events to support the leadership of the city and the republic of Tatarstan.
Source: UCLG Eurasia