CUF constructs the local authorities’ international action of tomorrow

Nearly 400 participants from more than 26 countries came together for the 16th edition of the ‘Rencontres’ of the international action of local and regional authorities, organised by Cités Unies France as part of the association’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

For the official opening session of this year’s event, Michaël Delafosse, Mayor of Montpellier, President of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole and President of CUF, and Marie-Hélène Loison, Deputy Director General of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), highlighted the growing importance of the role of local and regional authorities in the dynamics of international cooperation.

The plenary session, which focused on the theme of “Constructing the local authorities’ international action of tomorrow”, explored the many facets of decentralised cooperation and looked to the future of international action by local and regional authorities. The future of decentralised cooperation was at the heart of discussions between Frédéric Cholé, Delegate for Local Authorities and Civil Society (DCTCIV) at the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Boris Tonhauser, Director of PLATFORMA, Katja Kruger, Regional Councillor for Brittany, and Hugo Albouy, who spoke about his experience as a volunteer in Mauritania.

Rich and forward-looking exchanges

The day was punctuated by 6 geographical and/or thematic workshops and 6 “cafés”, highlighting emblematic initiatives and the future prospects for decentralised cooperation. These sessions focused on sharing experiences, pooling skills and fostering reciprocity in international partnerships.

Colombia: a dynamic country with expanding cooperation

Cités Unies France has chosen to spotlight a country with promising cooperation potential: the Republic of Colombia. A delegation of Colombian mayors, together with the association of intermediary cities, Asointermedias, and the ambassadors of Colombia to France and France to Colombia, presented the opportunities for cooperation in this dynamic and rapidly expanding country throughout the day, and in particular during a dedicated plenary session, offering an insight into the dynamism of cooperation projects in this country.

The conference closed with a speech by Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs.