Regions and cities have been the first responders to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, coping with the immediate impact on their health systems, and enforcing lockdowns while sustaining families and local businesses. In its economic recovery plan, together with the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the European Commission has recognized the instrumental role of regions for a sustainable recovery. Now more than ever, local and national authorities should join forces towards achieving a more resilient global society. The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development well outlines the path for regions to tackle the current and future challenges. With 2030 a decade away, regions should take a lead on implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on ensuring healthy lives and wellbeing, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and equality within and among countries.

Questions include:

What is the role of regions in attaining SDGs and how can they make sure that these are not taking the back seat in the current health crisis?
What tools and key partnerships can be identified to strengthen resilience of regions and communities?
What role do regions play in the framework of the Conference on the Future of Europe aimed at giving European citizens and localities a greater say on how the European Union could better work for them?

SPEAKERS
Aziza Akhmouch, Head of Division for Cities, Urban Policies and Sustainable Development at the OECD
Magnus Berntsson, President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER)
Damià Calvet, Minister of Territory and Sustainability of Catalonia (Spain)
Raffaele Cattaneo, Minister for Environment and Climate of Lombardy (Italy) and member of the Regions 4 steering committee
Wallis Goelen-Vandebrock, Senior Expert to the Deputy Director-General for Implementation at the European Commission Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO)

MODERATOR
Dharmendra Kanani, Director of Insights at Friends of Europe

Subscribe! ► http://bit.ly/2n5HBDp

Connect. Debate. Change.
Website: http://www.friendsofeurope.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FriendsofEurope
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/friendsofeurope.foe