EU Funded International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) in India to be launched on 24 February 2022

24.02.2022
Brussels

The EU and India have a shared vision for a smart and sustainable urbanisation, which is reflected in the Partnership on Smart and Sustainable Urbanisation between the EU and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India.

The EU funded International Urban and Regional Cooperation Programme in Asia and Australasia (IURC) contributes to the Partnership on Smart and Sustainable Urbanisation by leading and developing decentralised urban cooperation on sustainable urban development. The Programme covers 9 countries in Asia and Australasia including India.

The EU International Urban and Regional Cooperation Programme in India was announced at the 2nd  EU – India Urban Forum held by the EU Delegation in India and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in May 2021 and launched on 24 February 2022 in event with the EU Delegation in India, DG REGIO, EU Commission and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs together with 25 cities in India and Europe.

City-to-City Cooperation for Sustainable Urban Development

11 city authorities in Europe and 14 city authorities in India will work together and demonstrate city leadership under the EU funded International Urban and Regional Cooperation Programme through city-to-city cooperations. City to city coooperation will be in the area of ecological transition, urban and regional renewal and innovative, sustainable and carbon neutral ecosystems. This project also highlights the important role of cities in finding local and global solutions in the areas including urban water challenges, urban resilience and urban mobility.

The European cities which will be part of city to city cooperation are Leuven (Belgium), Karlsruhe and Trier (Germany), the Group of Municipalities: Trikala/Farkadona/Meteora (Greece), Messina and Reggio Emilia (Italy), Almada and Alto Minho Functional Area (Portugal), Albacete (Spain), Rotterdam (The Netherlands) as well as Leeds (UK).

The cities in India which take part are Surat, Porbandar, Kanpur, Ranchi, Patna, Panaji, Jamshedpur, Kochi, Gangtok, Leh, Jaipur, Gwalior, Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority and Chennai.

The International Urban and Regional Cooperation Programme (IURC) in Asia and Australasia (2021 – 2023) is the second phase of the previous EU funded International Urban Cooperation programme (IUC) (2016-2020).

Kindly also see tentative programme for the event:

To register for the event, please use the following link: https://bit.ly/IURCIndialaunch

 

IST

CET

Tentative Programme

3:00-3:05 pm

10:30-10:35 am

Introduction

Dr. P. Karamanos, IURC Asia & Australasia, India Country Coordinator (India)

Introduction to IURC (video)

3:05-3:10 pm

10:35-10:40 am

Welcome Address

Ms. Kamilla Kristensen Rai, Counsellor, Delegation of the European Union to India

3:10-3:15 pm

10:40-10:45 am

Introduction to International City to City Cooperation

Dr. Ronald Hall, Senior Advisor, DG REGIO, EU Commission

3:15-3:20 pm

10:45-10:50 am

Welcome Address

Mr. Sanjay Kumar, Additional Secretary (International Cooperation), Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India

3:20-3:30 pm

10:50-11:00 am

Video Presenting/Welcoming the Cities/Regions

3:30-4:15 pm

11:00-11:45 am

Break Out Room 1

Flood Management

 

 

Moderation:

P. Karamanos/

P. Merchant IURC

Break Out Room 2

Circular Economy - Waste Management

 

Moderation:

A. Verma IURC

Break Out Room 3

Urban Planning, Mobility & Energy

 

Moderation:

P. Gandara IURC

State of play by IURC

(5 min.)

 

City/Region Contributions

 

  • Surat-Rotterdam (Netherlands)
  • Kochi–Messina (Italy)
  • Panaji–Almada (Portugal)
  • Porbandar

State of play by TERI

(5 min.)

 

City/Region Contributions

 

  • Gangtok–Albacete (Spain)
  • Leh-Greek cities
  • Jamshedpur-Alto Minho Functional Area (Portugal)
  • Jaipur

State of play by NIUA

(5 min.)

 

City/Region Contributions

 

  • PMRDA*-Karlsruhe (Germany)
  • Gwalior-Leuven (Belgium)
  • Chennai–Trier (Germany)
  • Ranchi-Reggio Emilia (Italy),
  • Leeds (UK)
  • Kanpur
  • Patna

4:15-4:30 pm

11:45 am-Noon

Moderators Reporting

(2 minutes each)

 

Conclusions and Way Forward

*Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority