On 16-20 October, 2016, Local and Regional Governments will gather in Quito, Ecuador, to discuss the main challenges and opportunities of an increasing urbanization during the Habitat Conference. Regions and associations of the nrg4SD – Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development will be at the event presenting their initiatives and contributions to the New Urban Agenda. 

During the occasion, Regional governments will also defend the need for further engagement and coordination of regional governments and other subnational authorities. “Without efficient multi-level governance mechanisms, it will be impossible to achieve an ambitious transformation on the ground” says Joan França, Project Manager of RegionsAdapt Initiative, a global initiative for regional governments to take action, cooperate and report efforts in climate adaptation, to be presented on a network event on the 19th of October (see below). 

The position of regional governments will be present through multiple side and networking events. Particularly, nrg4SD will join the coordinated efforts and activities of global initiatives as the Global Task Force (GTF) and the Communitas Coalition. Among nrg4SD members participating on the Conference will be Azuay, Basque Country, Catalonia, Consorcio de Gobiernos Autónomos Provinciales del Ecuador – CONGOPE, Morona Santiago, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra and Rio de Janeiro. 

Check the full agenda of events co-organized by nrg4SD and the schedule of recommended events relevant for regional governments. 

Events to be highlighted: 

• Sunday, 16 October: Second World Assembly of Local and Regional Governments for the New Urban Agenda 14.30-18.30h Agora Room – CCE 

The Assembly will present recommendations and key messages of the constituency to the Habitat III and for the implementation of the New Urban Agenda. Organized by the Global Task Force, which became the main platform for the participation and input of local and regional governments in this agenda. More information at http://www.gtf2016.org/ 

• Monday, 17 October: Integrated and Balanced Territorial Development – Regional Governments in the New Urban Agenda 14.30-18.30h Room 9 – CCE 

Regional governments from Latin America and Europe will showcase good practices that exemplify their role as crucial enablers for a holistic and integrated territorial approach. The event is co-organized by ORU-Fogar, the government of Catalonia, nrg4SD and other partners. 

• Wednesday, 19 October: Enhancing Urban Resilience through RegionsAdapt 16:30pm to 18:30pm, at MR7 at the venue of the Habitat III Conference, Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana “Benjamin Carrion” 

Networking event organized by nrg4SD (Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development), in collaboration with ECLAC (Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean), Rio de Janeiro State Government and UNDP World Centre for Sustainable Development (RIO+ Centre). More information at: http://www.nrg4sd.org/regionsadapt 

Ends 

Media contact
Thais Ferraz, Communications Officer, nrg4SD
M: +34 633 235 432
tferraz@nrg4sd.org 

About RegionsAdapt 

RegionsAdapt is the first global initiative for regional governments to take action, cooperate and report efforts in climate adaptation. By joining this initiative, participants commit to take action on adaptation, by adopting or reviewing strategies, acting on one of the key areas identified by the initiative, as well as by reporting data on the progress of these actions. More information at: http://www.nrg4sd.org/regionsadapt 

About nrg4SD 

The Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development – nrg4SD is a non-profit international organization representing subnational governments and associations of subnational governments at global level. Established in 2002 at the World Summit of Johannesburg, today nrg4SD totals 50 states, regions and provinces from 30 countries and 7 associations of subnational governments. nrg4SD campaigns internationally for the recognition of the role played by subnational governments in ensuring more effective sustainable development models. The network also focuses on climate change and biodiversity, fostering the dissemination of members’ innovative actions, and encouraging cooperation and partnership programmes for the exchange of best practices. 

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