Oregi: "the most accurate and innovative decisions are made with the knowledge of those who turn them into services that foster sustainable habits and more human town planning"

• Closing Ceremony of the 8th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns organised by ICLEI
• Satisfaction amongst the nearly 800 participants with the agreement reached with the "Basque Declaration" on urban sustainability

BILBAO 29 04 16

At the closing ceremony for the 8th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns, organised by ICLEI, the Basque Government's Minister of the Environment and Territorial Policy, Ana Oregi, stated that "the most accurate and innovative decisions that work the best in everyday life are better made with the knowledge of those who, in squares, in streets, at town halls and in regions, turn them into services that foster sustainable habits and more human town planning."

Along with Wolfgang Teubner, director of ICLEI Europe, Oregi participated in the closing ceremony for the conference held this week in different Basque towns. "A Conference does not always reach the degree of participation, social interest and modernity that this Iclei meeting did here in the Basque Country. We all left with a renewed notebook filled with work to carry out in each city and town in Europe, where we live," said Sailburu Ana Oregi.

As stated by the Minister," environmental, social and economic challenges can only be addressed in one way: through coordination and by defining strategies and objectives. This is what all of us cities in the Union must do. Every day, we intensify our contacts and work networks. This has a direct effect on a positive action that makes common, well-planned actions possible."

In Ana Oregi's opinion, "for us, this Conference was the opportunity to discover what other European regions are doing about challenges such as adapting to climate change, food, waste, water, housing or mobility... everyday tasks at local administrations. For this reason, the success of this meeting will be to spread a collaborative work and mutual learning model to the rest of the Union to undertake the transformation in sustainability, for which Europe's towns and cities are clamouring."

Spreading

Those attending the closing ceremony held at the Euskalduna Palace in Bilbao listened to the Minister's words, as she stated that "ICLEI's work is giving great results. We must continue inspiring more cities and regions to share our experiences."

"179 countries out of the 193 signing the COP21, have already ratified the Paris agreements, fostering measures to mitigate climate change with renewable energies, designing new public and merchandise transport systems. Just as we did in Paris, as countries, regions and cities we can join the agreement. The Basque Government shall be doing so soon. I encourage you to join the agreement, as well," proposed the Basque Minister of the Environment.

"Cities play a key part in the circular revolution that the economy needs to rid itself of carbon. This huge shift we have undertaken begins with people, and people live, relate to one another, work, consume and build a joint-living situation at a local level. This is where we can best work to foster behaviour and stimulate consciences that will change the world. This is why I believe that the local stage is circular," she added.  Consequently, today more than ever, the slogan "think global, act local" takes on special meaning. There is a gap between the ideal and what is possible that is filled by local authorities.

"The most accurate and innovative decisions that work the best in everyday life are better made with the knowledge of those who, in squares, in streets, at town halls and in regions, turn them into services that foster sustainable habits and more human town planning," concluded Ana Oregi.