ARDCI hosts ORU’s first bureau meeting of 2015

ORU held its first executive bureau meeting of 2015 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on the 19th and 20th of March. The Ivory Coast Assembly of Regions and Districts (ARDCI) acted as host of the meeting, chaired by the Basque Country Director for Foreign Affairs, Leyre Madariaga. The President-in-Office condemned the attacks perpetrated on the Bardo museum in Tunisia last 8th of March and expressed ORU’s solidarity with the victims and their families. The Secretary-General, Carles Llorens, dedicated a few words to Burkina Faso, where the bureau meeting was to be held originally, before the November 2014 coup. He pledged the organisation’s commitment to support de regional reconstitution process in the country and the wish that the regional presidents resume their responsibilities as soon as possible.

The work groups presented their activity reports

ORU’s work groups presented their activity reports and were given directions from the members of the executive. The bureau entrusted nrg4SD with the organisation and management of the climate agenda with a view to increase the regions’ presence in the Climate Change Conference COP21 and in the Climate and Territory Summit which will be held in the Rhône-Alpes region.  At the same time, the creation of a cultural diversity group, led by the Provincial Government of Azuay (Ecuador) was approved. The group undertakes to submit a manifest and a work plan in the next meeting held in Encarnación, Paraguay.  

Thursday’s session started with the meeting of the Core Group on Food Security, led by Jean-Paul Bachy. The president of the Champagne-Ardenne region stressed the important role of the intermediate governments in the food security-oriented public policies. Bachy laid emphasis on the regulation of markets, which shouldn’t impose the rules on food security.

The Secretariat-General presents its 2015 action plan  

The Secretariat-General submitted to the bureau its 2015 action plan, whose goal is to consolidate a strong network able to give voice to the interests of regional governments and able to achieve recognition by the international community, mainly from the United Nations.  To meet this goal, the Secretariat-General wants to strengthen the organisation by promoting the active involvement of its members, working towards obtaining new accessions, ensuring the exchange of information and knowledge and offering services to its associated regions.

In this regard, the Secretariat-General presented the new corporate image of the organisation, highlighting a fully renovated logo and website and the launch of a newsletter, proof of ORU’s commitment to taking a step forward in the communication area.  

Five new members join ORU

Regarding new entrants, the bureau approved the accession of five new members (learn more here). The UNDP, the OIDP and the FAO join ORU in an observer capacity (learn more here). The Senegalese Departments Association also joins the organisation in replacement of the former Senegalese Regions Association (learn more here).

In Abidjan the choice of the Paraguayan city of Encarnación, capital of the Itapúa Department, as the venue for ORU’s next executive bureau was confirmed.