Today, the Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin spoke at the V
International Public-Private Partnerships Forum. He spoke about the projects
implemented in the capital of Tatarstan in the framework of PPP.
The forum takes place from 22 to 26 April in Geneva,
Switzerland.
Ilsur
Metshin joined colleagues from other countries online.
“It is no
secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a deep socio-economic crisis, -said
the Mayor of Kazan. – In order to restore what was lost, as well as to build
back the world better, we need a global reboot, in which the political quarters
will come to an agreement on a social contract between the public, private
sector and society as a whole”.
The main form of implementation of PPP projects in
Kazan is a concession, which allows to retain ownership and control over
municipal facilities. As part of the concession agreements, a district center
for blood hemodialysis was established in the city, a solid waste landfill was
reconstructed, and a protective dam was reconstructed and modernized. In
addition, there are PPP projects for the construction of swimming pools.
“The last year experience has once again demonstrated that
local authorities are at the forefront of the struggle against crises. The
lives of people, their safety and well-being depend on the efficiency and
balance of our decisions, - the Mayor of Kazan noted. -Today we know that we
have effective tools: the measures we took in the fight with the pandemic for support
of the most vulnerable communities were adequate and timely”.
The city headquarters of volunteers who helped elderly
citizens with delivery of food and medicines was established. During the
pandemic, municipal transport was free for medical workers and volunteers. A
number of municipal measures for support of business were adopted.
“I am sure that only by adopting together an effective
development model, we will make cities more resilient to emerging crises. The
focus should be on the basic components of the infrastructure of human life: social
protection, a reliable health system, and decent employment. In this regard,
public-private partnership, based on the “putting people first” principle,
should become one of the key tools for sustainable development”, - the Mayor concluded
his report.