More than a hundred representatives from local and regional governments across Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean gathered at the Bogotá City Hall to participate in the 4th EU–LAC Local and Regional Governments Forum, aimed at strengthening bi-regional political dialogue and presenting concrete proposals to the EU–CELAC Summit of Heads of State and Government, to be held soon in Santa Marta, Colombia.
The Forum is promoted by major networks and associations of subnational governments from both the EU and CELAC, as well as by several local and regional governments directly. The EU–LAC Foundation is among the institutions that supported the organization of the event.
The main objectives of the Forum were to influence the bi-regional political agenda, strengthen institutional relations between local authorities from both continents, and foster synergies in EU–CELAC decentralised cooperation.
Throughout the day, mayors, governors, and representatives of associations and networks of subnational governments discussed the role of territories in democracy and in the bi-regional agenda, addressing shared challenges related to sustainable development, equality, climate action, and the territorial implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In a session co-moderated by Anna Barrera, Programme Director at the EU–LAC Foundation, participants explored opportunities to strengthen the role of local and regional governments within the framework of the Global Gateway initiative “EURO-territori-AL”, designed to boost territorial investment and partnerships between regions in Europe and Latin America.
The Forum also presented the study “Territorial Development and Decentralization in Latin America and the Caribbean,” prepared by the TALD-GIZ Facility with the support of the Barcelona Provincial Council and the European Union. The publication provides an overview of the main trends in territorial governance in Latin America and the Caribbean and identifies opportunities to enrich bi-regional dialogue and promote more equitable and sustainable development.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Declaration of the EU–CELAC Local and Regional Governments Forum, which was handed over to representatives of the EU and CELAC. The Declaration includes proposed paragraphs for potential incorporation into the final EU–CELAC Summit Declaration, emphasizing:
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The official recognition of the Forum as a permanent space parallel to the EU–CELAC Summits
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The need to open direct channels of dialogue between national leaders and subnational governments from both regions;
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The promotion of direct financial mechanisms for cities and territories;
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and the active inclusion of local governments in the territorial implementation of the Global Gateway strategy.
During the Forum, Anna Barrera held exchanges with local leaders such as Céline Papin, Deputy Mayor of Bordeaux and representative of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) and PLATAFORMA; and Lucien Bruneau, Head of the Department of International Relations of the Municipality of Bordeaux. She also met with Andrea Costafreda Quesada, Director General for Development Cooperation of the Government of Catalonia, Spain.
This Forum strengthens bi-regional dialogue from the territories, promoting a model of cooperation that is more inclusive, sustainable and locally driven.
