Congress of Local Authorities of Eurasia started in Kazan

(Kazan City KZN.RU, July 31, Albert Murtazin). The Congress of Local Authorities of Eurasia started in Kazan; it is attended by local and regional leaders of the Eurasian regional branch of the World Organization "United Cities and Local Governments". The Congress, which takes place at this moment in the City Hall, Co-President of UCLG, president of the Eurasian department of the organization, the Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin has opened.

The event is also attended by the Acting President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, the deputy presidential envoy in the Volga Federal District Oleg Melnichenko, Chairman of the Committee on topical issues of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Chairman of the State Council Farid Mukhametshin, chairman of the Moscow City Duma Alexey Shaposhnikov, General Secretaries of seven regional offices of the UCLG, deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the consuls of the Turkish Republic and the Islamic Republic of Iran, the mayors of the Eurasian section of UCLG, as well as scientists and experts in the field of Eurasian and European integration.

The main theme of the congress is "Local Solutions for Global Development: Towards the Eurasian integration." The meeting of leaders of cities will be directed at strengthening of the Eurasian cooperation and increase of the cohesion and unity of the Eurasian geopolitical region. Congress aims to increase the capacity and involvement of local authorities in the process of global decision-making.

Opening the congress, Ilsur Metshin warmly welcomed the guests of the capital of Tatarstan, and thanked them for taking part in such an important event. "We will discuss the problem, fundamentally important for our cities and for the entire Eurasian continent. Today we can talk about a new initiative of the Eurasian regional branch aimed at worldwide cooperation of municipalities in the name of peace, prosperity and comfortable living of our citizens, "- said the Mayor of Kazan. He expressed the hope that the outcome of the Congress will be concrete proposals to promote and increase of the activity of the Eurasian integration.

Rustam Minnikhanov also welcomed the participants and guests of the congress. The head of the republic expressed gratitude to the leadership of UCLG for the support and defense of the interests of local authorities in the international arena. "In today's world the city and the local authorities are playing an increasingly important role in addressing the socio-economic and humanitarian development. This imposes a great responsibility on local authorities and requires them to develop common approaches in addressing the challenges. It is encouraging that in the capital of Tatarstan the representatives of cities and municipalities, who will discuss the role of local governments in global processes, meet today, "- said Rustam Minnikhanov. He stressed that the Kazan is an important link between East and West. "Kazan has become an attractive place for major international events. I am sure the Congress in Kazan will be a good basis for further fruitful cooperation ", - said the head of the republic and wished the participants successful work, the establishment of friendly and business contacts and vivid impressions from Kazan, also he invited guests at Sabantuy.

During the opening ceremony the signing of the cooperation agreement between the Eurasian and Asia-Pacific section of UCLG took place. It is worth noting that in the framework of the General Assembly of the Eurasian section of UCLG President, Vice-Presidents and the Council of the Eurasian department will also be re-elected.

Recall, the World Organization "United Cities and Local Governments" is a voluntary international consolidation of associations, unions and individual municipalities, established in 2004 for the effective implementation of the rights of citizens to local self-government. UCLG is the most powerful and influential structure in the area of ​​strengthening of cooperation of local government, presenting them at the international level and implementing democratic principles. Today, UCLG brings together more than 10,000 cities and associations of the world and represents more than half the world's population. The UCLG has 7 regional offices. Since 2010, the Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin is co-president of the organization.