DEAR Members,
The results of the consultations carried out yesterday concerning the participation of UCLG in Rio de Janeiro next June have lead the Presidency to cancel the Executive Bureau on the 17th and to reduce UCLG activities in Rio. Members have expressed great concern about the conditions and find such expenditure difficult to justify in this times of economic hardship.
Although the City of Rio has expressed their commitment to work with us in improving conditions of hotels and offering full support for the organization of our meetings, the Presidency does not find it reasonable to maintain the uncertainty for members any longer.
This carefully considered decision is above all based on political convictions. At a time when our citizens around the world are suffering the consequences of the economic crisis it seems unjustifiable for local and regional leaders to massively attend the Summit under the announced costs.
We would further like to call the United Nations and the Members States to rethink the way international negotiations are carried out and to ensure accountable, transparent and cost effective processes for the kind of future World Governance we need. While requesting the acknowledgement of the role that local and regional authorities deserve as a sphere of governments in the international decision-making processes, we reiterate the commitment of UCLG and its membership to continue contributing to the international policy agenda.
Due to this late cancellation alternatives for the holding of the Spring Executive Bureau do not seem feasible and it is proposed to send the documentation for electronic consultation in the coming weeks. Items needing interactive discussion will be brought forward to the December meetings in Dakar.
A full-fledged Urban Summit, as originally envisaged on 18 June, does not seem realistic without the participation of many of you. As we still expect some members to attend, the World Secretariat will study possibilities in collaboration with the City of Rio and other partners to further develop the local and regional government agenda. As you are aware the UCLG leadership has always seen this agenda as one of importance beyond its own membership. As the biggest umbrella organization of local and regional authorities we have tried to play the role of conveners and facilitators of the representation of all networks, aside our institutional interests alone. The important progress achieved in New York will undoubtedly greatly contribute to the local and regional case in the Summit.
We call on members and partners that will participate in Rio to carry the joint recommendations that we presented to the United Nations last April and to transmit the commitment of UCLG to the international community.
The UCLG leadership and the World Secretariat remain available for any further consultation or additional information you might request.
We look forward to seeing you in Dakar and to continue working together for a sustainable future.
Josep Roig
Secretary General
