The remainder of 2015

The second half of 2015 is marked by an intense international agenda. The United Nations organizes two key events on which ORU’s members have been working for years: the review of the Millennium Development Goals and the Climate Change Conference, COP21.

In the last few years, ORU has devoted great efforts to achieve the recognition of intermediate governments as stakeholders in the development and climate change policies. We are truly convinced that regions and federal states, given their location and proximity to the territories, are best placed to design and implement all actions related to these policies. 

ORU has a specific work group on Post-2015, through which our organisation, as a beacon for the territory’s importance in the development processes, has participated in all of the UN debates and consultations.   In this final stretch, we are fighting to achieve regional or territorial indicators. We are confident in our success because, among other reasons, we believe that we are only claiming what is common sense.

At this point, it is fair to recognise Catalonia’s leadership role within ORU on this issue, coordinating the Post-2015 Work Group. We know from personal experience how difficult it is to subtract yourself from your own local work to focus on the area of international representation. The Catalan political leaders, as well as their technical staff, have devoted a great effort to the Post-2015 issue, and for that I am very grateful to Marta Macias, director-general for Catalan cooperation and member of our Bureau. On the other hand, we have also worked on this issue together with UCLG within the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments and, for that, I would like to thank them for their enthusiasm and technical capabilities. 

Regarding climate change, ORU has been present in the debates thanks to our partner nrg4SD, whose technical expertise is beyond doubt. R-20, recently incorporated to ORU, contributed by taking part in an important event organised in Paris a few months ago.

In the coming months, there will be several important regional events in preparation for the COP21, a Summit conceived by the states and for the states where regions must also have a say. The first one,  MEDCOP21 organised by the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, under the patronage of the President of the French Republic. The second one is the World Summit on Climate and Territories organized by the Rhône-Alpes region. The lobby work of Presidents Vauzelle and Queyranne is invaluable in attaining these goals, just as the work carried out by our friend Bernard Soulage, Vice-President of Rhône-Alpes and member of our Executive Bureau.

Paúl Carrasco

President of ORU