Smart, Green and Resilient Cities and Communities - Dialogue between EU Mayors and the Commission

On 2 December, Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton will engage in a dialogue with EU Mayors from the Living-in.EU movement and the Intelligent Cities Challenge on the green and digital transformation and socio-economic resilience of cities and communities.   

The dialogue will be organised around two panels of Mayors. The first interactive panel will focus on planning and implementing the green and digital transformation of the local economy and society, the role of innovation and technology, local green deals and the issue of up and reskilling of the local workforce. The second interactive panel will discuss the potential of technology, data governance in cities, and the use of local digital twins for cities and communities to enable their digital transformation.  

The event will take place in a hybrid format, both in person, in the Square, Brussels, and online. EU Mayors and regional leaders are invited to participate, either online or in person. All participants should register their attendance (requires the creation of an EU Login account). Please note that physical participants will be required to present their EU Digital Covid Certificate (Covid Safe Pass) and follow public health measures. 

The event will also be web streamed in English and French.

Programme 

All times are in Central European Time (CET).

13:30 Doors open to participants, technical preparations etc.

The Square, Mont des Arts, 1000 Brussels, Tea & Coffee served        

14:30  Dialogue between Commissioner Breton and EU Mayors  

Online via Zoom (for participants) and web-streamed

Welcome, housekeeping, introductions, by Ms Meabh McMahon, Euronews (moderator) 

Opening address by Commissioner Thierry Breton 

Video message from the Slovenian Presidency, Mr Boštjan Koritnik, Minister for Public Administration of Slovenia

Video on the Intelligent Cities Challenge initiative 

First interactive panel on the green and digital transformation of local economies 

How can European cities pave the way to the green and digital transition of the EU economy? This panel will explore cities’ vision for 2030, the challenges and experiences in implementing local green deals, as well as sustainable, competitive circular local value chains. The discussion will focus on sustainable investments, skills gaps and future labour force needs, required support for local business and citizens, and measures to ensure effective collaborative governance at EU level.  

Panellists

• Ms Laia Bonet, Deputy Mayor of Barcelona, online
• Mr Jacob Bundsgaard, Mayor of Aarhus, online
• François Baroin, Mayor of Troyes and former President of the federation of French Mayors, on line
• Mr Grigoris Konstantellos, Mayor of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni (Greece), in person
• Mr. Peter Kurz, Mayor of Mannheim, online 
• Mr Gencho Kerezov, Deputy Mayor of Sofia, in person 

Video message from Ms Päivi Laajala, Mayor of Oulu, founding member of Living-in.EU

Second interactive panel on local digital transformation 

European cities and communities require further investment in the digital transformation based on sustainable data infrastructure, real-time and static data sharing across domains, cities and borders, handling open and big data and strong data governance embracing public and private stakeholders. Such investments, notably in infrastructure and local digital twins, would enable cities and communities to reap the benefits of digital for improving mobility, energy efficiency, waste management, urban planning, air pollution monitoring, etc.

Panellists

• Mr Juhana Vartiainen, Mayor of Helsinki, online
• Mr Mohamed Ridouani, Mayor of Leuven, in person  
• Ms Carmen Carvalheira, Vice-President of the region of Alentejo, in person 
• Ms Kata Tüttő, Deputy Mayor of Budapest, in person
• Ms Amel Zenati, Counsellor, Grenoble, in person

Concluding remarks by Commissioner Breton 

Moderator closes the meeting 

16:30   End of the meeting and networking reception