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 | Newsletter
Number 35 - 15/05/2017 | |
 | HIGHLIGHTS Territorial Cohesion in the Mediterranean On May 4th and 5th , MedCities participated in a seminar on Territorial Cohesion, hosted by the Centre for Mediterranean Integration and organised by the different institutions of the Urban Hub of the CMI, including MedCities, the World Bank, Cities Alliance, GIZ, AFD, EIB, CODATU, AVITEM and UCLG. | |
 Projects MedCities projects for 2017 MedCities has published a brochure that briefly summarizes the main projects and actions that are currently being implemented. The document highlights the INTERREG MED Projects, the initiatives on the improvement of waste management in the region and the project to strengthen City Development Strategies in Tunisia. |  Resources Western Mediterranean: Actions for the sustainable development of the blue economy The European Commission launches a new initiative for sustainable development of blue economy in the Western Mediterranean region. This initiative will allow the EU and neighbouring countries to work together to increase maritime safety and security, promote sustainable blue growth and jobs, and preserve ecosystems and biodiversity. | | |
 | Projects GO-SUMP, launching event in Malaga: improving sustainable urban mobility in the Mediterranean Almost 50 people from eight countries attended the kick-off meeting of INTERREG MED project GO-SUMP, which took place from 3 to 5 April at the headquarters of the Urban Environment Observatory (OMAU), service of the Malaga City Council. The Municipality of Malaga is coordinating the project and MedCities participates as a partner. |  | KTC Al Fayhaa Meeting with the Union of Municipalities of Batroun The KTC of Al Fayhaa met representatives of the Union of Municipalities of Batroun, member of MedCities Association, in order to share the priorities and concerns of the Union to identify possible collaborations with Medcities. |  | Bilateral Cooperation The strengthening of the relation between Marseille and Tanger The visit to Marseille of the delegation of the Municipality of Tangier is part of a dynamic of rapprochement between the two cities in order to strengthen cooperation. The numerous relations that the two cities have maintained for several years is currently an important asset for the economic and tourist development of the two territories. |  | Bilateral cooperation Bilateral cooperation between Gaza and Barcelona From 2 to 8 May, a delegation from Gaza visited the city of Barcelona for a technical exchange mission on water cycle issues. MedCities participated engaging technical staff from the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona working on water cycle management and sharing projects and initiatives of interest for the delegation. |  | Projects COOP – VERD Socioeconomic analysis of the waste pickers in Nabeul In the last months, the technical coordinator of COOP-VERD project has engaged with the informal waste pickers in the area of Nabeul in order to understand and analyze the details of their day to day activity and their socio-economic situation. | |
 Seminars First International Conference on Security of Historical Cities Last 30 March and 1 April, the city of Split, Croatia, hosted the first international conference on "Security of Historical Cities". The 150 participants and their reactions have given additional incentive for holding similar conferences in the future, so that steps have already been taken towards organizing another conference next year. | | | EDITORIAL Improving waste management, a big challenge for Mediterranean cities One of the main consequences of the rapid urban demographic growth in the Mediterranean region is the environmental degradation. The rural exodus, the refugees' crisis and the increasing of urban settlements, have risen the threats of human activities causing major challenges on waste management for local governments. Municipalities, Urban Communities and other local administrations have to deal with this problem without having enough resources, expertise and technology for it. The lack of waste collection and disposal schemes, recycling facilities, landfills and waste treatment facilities, the need for environmental awareness and education for the population and the high investments required for improving waste management, are common factors prevailing in Mediterranean cities. In this context, to reinforce the role of local governments and to strengthen their competences but also their resources is becoming mandatory. This will be the only way for local governments to assume and carry out this big responsibility. It is necessary to build a strong strategy for the region in terms of waste, which considers the active role of municipalities. Waste poses a big threat not only to the inhabitants, to the environment, and to the marine coastal, but also to the future itself. MedCities is engaged with this challenge and will continue working with our members for improving waste management in the region. | | |
|  "It always seems impossible until it's done" Nelson Mandela, South African anti-apartheid activist, revolutionary and politician. 
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| acting as General Secretariat  |
