Mr. Xavier Tiana, MedCities Secretary General and representatives of the MedCities network, participated in the event organised by the Mediterranean Commission of UCLG in Tangier, Morocco, last 30 November 2016.

“The 4th Forum of Local and Regional Authorities of the Mediterranean was held in Tangier on 30th November 2016, chaired by Mr. Boudra, Mayor of Al Hoceima and president of the Political Council of the Mediterranean Commission of UCLG and by Mr. Roatta, Deputy Mayor of Marseille representing the presidency of the Mediterranean Commission of UCLG.

Mr. Abdellaoui, Mayor of Tangier opened the Forum organised in a tighter format and with territorial diplomacy as main theme. Thirty elected representatives from Algeria, France, Italia, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey reminded common values they were sharing in particular those written in the Charter in favour of democratic governance. They advocated for a strong and open diplomacy carried by local and regional governments and with clear concrete goals in favour of populations. Emergencies are numerous and expectations are great.

Participants also reacted to recommendations from the Workshops of Sousse held on 22 & 23 September about territorial development and youth inclusion in the local life.

Proposals for a better reception of migrants in cities that are being elaborated in the frame of the MC2CM european project have also been discussed.

The Anna Lindh Foundation proposed two possibilities of cooperation to the Mediterranean Commission of UCLG.

The Forum was also the opportunity to take stock of 10 years of the Mediterranean Commission of UCLG : 2006-2016-commed (in French). “

Source: Mediterranean Commission of United Cities and Local Governments