I. Metshin: “UCLG is a global network, it's time to use its resources for sustainable development”

The Mayor of Kazan is taking part in the work of the UCLG Middle East Congress in Jordan.

(KZN.RU, July 10). The global organization United Cities and Local Governments has done a lot for the voice of local authorities to be heard and to open the road to development for cities. “It is important for us, local authorities, to move along this road and act for a sustainable future”, said Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, the President of the UCLG Eurasian Branch, at a meeting of the organization’s Middle East Branch in Amman, Jordan.

Over the past years, the UCLG Middle East Branch has made a significant contribution to the development of the world organization, said Ilsur Metshin in his speech. “We unanimously supported the candidacy of Kadir Topbash, the Mayor of Istanbul, for the presidency of UCLG in 2010 and 2013. And we were not mistaken in our choice. Our organization achieved tremendous results during the years of Kadir Topbash’s presidency”, he said.

UCLG Middle East branch and UCLG-Eurasia continue the implementation of joint projects, noted the Mayor of Kazan. He thanked the participants of the meeting for supporting the project “Study of International Activity of Cities”. This study aims to analyze the work of city authorities in the development of international relations and to identify their strengths and weaknesses. “It will help to reveal the best examples of the development of international relations between cities. We will analyze what tools local authorities use for the development of international relations, and in what they do not work”, explained the Mayor of Kazan. “The focus of the study is on the work of local authorities. And I, as the mayor of Kazan, personally saw how important local initiatives are, aimed at strengthening international relations. I saw how much it gives for the development of the territory of the municipality and for improving the life quality of citizens”.

Kazan became one of the first cities in Russia to fight for the right to host major world sports competitions, noted I. Metshin. He reminded that in 2013, the capital of Tatarstan hosted the Universiade for the first time in the modern history of Russia, in 2015 – the FINA Championship, and in 2018, it became one of the cities organizing the World Cup. “And this is an example from only one area of international cooperation, the sports”, said the Mayor. He reminded that the WorldSkills Championship would be held this year in Kazan as well. “Today, major international events in the life of the city are not something out of the ordinary, but part of everyday life. It is an extremely effective tool for the sustainable development of the entire urban economy and a lever for social transformations”, said the head of the capital of Tatarstan.

The UCLG World Organization plays an essential role in the development of cities, continued I. Metshin. For 15 years, the organization has expanded and increased the geography of coverage. Strong friendly bonds have lined up between the UCLG member cities, believes the Mayor of Kazan. “Today, UCLG, as an established international organization, is ready to proceed to further actions”, said the Mayor. He offered to start implementing specific UCLG projects in particular cities for each of the sustainable development goals. Such projects can be implemented by every city, regardless of the population, geographic location, and size of its budget, emphasized the Mayor of Kazan.

“At each meeting of mayors, we talk about climate change and think about ways to deal with them. But we can start with the simplest solutions”, he said. “For example, a simple battery. Scientists claim that one battery pollutes 20 square meters of land and up to 400 liters of water. It is in our power to reduce this harm”.

The Eurasian branch has more than 850 direct and associated members. By collecting only one ton of waste batteries in each of them, we will be able to protect the planet from 850 thousand tons of batteries, save 17 thousand square kilometers of land, and 340 million liters of water from contamination with heavy metals, explained I. Metshin.

“I gave this simple example to convince you. By implementing small and low-budget projects, we will be able to achieve tremendous success due to the number of cities participating in the project where they will be implemented”, said I. Metshin. “UCLG is a global network. It’s time to use its resources to achieve sustainable development everywhere”.

Municipalities implement many useful projects. However, it is difficult for local authorities to achieve maximum efficiency without state support. Therefore, it is essential to synchronize local, regional, and national efforts for the joint implementation of global agendas in the interests of preserving the planet, humanity, and the world, marked I. Metshin.

The Eurasian branch of UCLG participates in the preparation of a voluntary national review of the achievement of sustainable development goals for the UN Political Forum on Sustainable Development in 2020. I. Metshin, the President of the Eurasian section of UCLG, participates in the composition of the Government Commission for the preparation of the report, as well as in the work of the subject groups. “I am sure that this will serve as an impetus for further joint actions on the path to sustainable development”, the Mayor of Kazan shared his opinion. “It is important for us, local authorities, to move along this road and act in the name of a future. The time of cities has come, the time has come to act!”

The Middle East branch of the World Organization of the United Cities and Local Governments includes the cities of Turkey, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Oman, and Yemen.

Last October, Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, was re-elected president of the Eurasian section of UCLG. This decision was made during the General Assembly of the branch within the framework of the Congress of Local Authorities of Eurasia. And in April, it was known that Kazan became a member of the World Association of Metropolis. Today, the association includes 139 largest cities in the world, where Kazan is the only Russian city. The Association allows studying the problems inherent in large cities in more detail, in particular, issues of ecology, transport, urban planning, and others.