Helsinki Mayor elected to Eurocities Executive Committee in Brussels

In its Annual Conference on 14 June in Brussels, the network of European cities known as Eurocities announced its selection of Mayor of Helsinki Juhana Vartiainen, and by extension Helsinki, to its Executive Committee. Eurocities is led by 12 carefully chosen cities and their mayors. Helsinki's term on the Executive Committee will continue for three years, until the year 2026.

Published14.6.2023 19:00

"The importance of the Eurocities network has gained even more strength as cities combine their efforts to promote post-pandemic recovery, support Ukraine and foster the continuous development of European cities. As a member of the Eurocities Executive Committee, Helsinki will be able to influence the network's future direction and key priorities, as well as ensure that issues concerning Helsinki and other northern cities remain in the spotlight. Membership in the Executive Committee also brings Helsinki fresh opportunities for more effective monitoring and influencing of EU issues and anticipating coming EU initiatives," Mayor Vartiainen said.

During his visit to Brussels, the Mayor of Helsinki participated in several meetings that were organized in connection with the Brussels Urban Summit conference. More than 300 cities and a thousand politicians, experts and influencers from different parts of the world participated in the conference, which focused on sustainable urban development. In addition to the Eurocities Annual Conference, the Urban Summit brought together two more international city conferences, the fourteenth Metropolis World Congress and the sixth-ever OECD Champion Mayors Summit for Inclusive Growth Initiative.

In connection with the Eurocities Annual Conference, the network's 'Taskforce on Ukraine' working group met. This taskforce that works to support Ukraine and its cities, and Vartiainen is an existing member. In addition to this and the meetings of the Eurocities Executive Committee, Vartiainen participated in a luncheon of European mayors hosted by the Mayor of Brussels and met with the Chief of Staff for the European Commission's Environmental Commissioner. Vartiainen also gave a speech on the cost of living and housing crises confronting cities at the OECD Inclusive Growth event. Outside of the official programme, Vartiainen also had several bilateral discussions with his European mayoral colleagues.

About the Eurocities network

Founded in 1986, Eurocities is a recognised influencer network of European cities that promotes the economic, societal and social development of its member cities through cooperation and information sharing. Eurocities also jointly influences urban policy at the EU level. Eurocities is a network of more than 200 member cities in 38 countries, representing 130 million European inhabitants. Helsinki has been a member of Eurocities since 1994.

• Eurocities

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