“Cities are the heart of economic and social development, and play a vital role in creating sustainable urban environments,” stressed Meropi-Spyridoula Ydraiou (Greece, EPP/CCE), Congress Spokesperson on the Environment and Climate Change, at the B40 Balkan Cities Network Summit in Sofia (Bulgaria) on 25 February 2025. She underscored the importance of ensuring that urban development meets present requirements without compromising the needs of future generations, and urged municipalities to prioritise green infrastructure, including green buildings, urban forests and efficient water and waste management in order to enhance climate resilience and urban sustainability.
Speaking at the closing session on “Financing Resilient Futures: Investments and Innovations for Sustainable Balkan Cities”, the Spokesperson highlighted key Congress initiatives on the environment, including the third volume of the Human Rights Handbook for Local and Regional Authorities on the environment and sustainable practices, reports and recommendations on natural disasters’ preparedness and on the circular economy, as well as new reports addressing water resources management and coastal erosion. Ms Ydraiou also pointed to the Congress proposal to draft a new Additional Protocol to the European Charter on Local Self-Government on environmental responsibilities at local level. This would strengthen the resilience of local authorities facing environmental crises, improve climate risk management and support local initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Organised on 24-25 February under the theme “The Future of the Balkans: Innovation, Cooperation, Green Transition, and Growth”, the summit brought together city leaders, experts and policymakers from 12 countries, including Mayor of Sofia Vasil Terziev, Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem İmamoğlu and Mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj. Discussions focused local climate action, migration, local economic and cultural cooperation, sustainable tourism and digital transformation, as well as preparing cities for European integration.
