Local and regional authorities play a crucial role in building resilient democratic societies: conference hosted by Council of Europe Congress

The role of local and regional authorities in effectively responding to the challenges facing European democracies, in supporting Ukraine, protecting human rights, saving the environment, and enabling young people's involvement is the focus of a conference of associations of local and regional authorities from the Council of Europe's 46 member states, that started on 12 September.

The conference was opened by Marc Cools, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities; Arnoldas Abramavičius, Vice-Minister of Interior, on behalf of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers; Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe; and Congress Youth Delegate from Andorra Lisa Cruz Lackner.

Ekrem Imamoglu, Mayor of Istanbul and President of the Union of Turkish Municipalities, and Gunn Marit Helgesen, President of the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities and President of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions, opened the debate on the role of national associations in strengthening territorial democracy.

"Resilience, reconstruction and reform of Ukraine", "Boosting democracy by engaging all citizens" and "Local innovation for stronger local authorities" are the themes of the round tables to be held as part of the conference.

On 13 September, the event participants will adopt a joint declaration to reaffirm the commitment to the Council of Europe's values and standards.

The event, which was streamed online, with the Council of Europe's 75th anniversary and the 30th anniversary of the Congress, under the auspices of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers.

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