As a vice-president of NALAS, the Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-Eastern Europe, Marko Filipović, mayor of Rijeka, was a member of the delegation that from 1 to 3 July was on a study visit to Darkhan-Uul province, Mongolia, within which a Forum was held on the topic of best city practices organised as part of the Friendship project co-financed by the European Union.
The goal of the Friendship project is to define opportunities for the development of cooperation between Darkhan-Uul province and the EU through the exchange of knowledge and best practices available in the EU.
Also, with the intention of the aforementioned exchange of knowledge and best practices, it is planned to establish an interregional platform that would function through the exchange and transfer of knowledge and best practices from EU cities and regions to the province of Darkhan-Uul.
MAYOR OF RIJEKA MARKO FILIPOVIĆ AND DUŠAN RAIČEVIĆ, MAYOR OF BAR, PART OF NALAS DELEGATION
To this end, a Forum was held on the topic of best city practices, where Mayor Filipović presented the project of public services digitalization in the City of Rijeka. Other leaders of European local self-governments also presented their examples of good practice.
In addition to Mayor Filipović, the NALAS delegation included Kelmend Zajazi, executive director of NALAS, Dušan Raičević, mayor of Montenegrin Bar, Tadej Beočanin, mayor of Slovenian Ajdovščina, and the meeting was also attended by Mehmet Onur Partal, director of the Turkish President’s Finance Office and representatives and officials of Darkhan-Uul province, including B. Azjargal, the governor of Darkhan-Uul province, who together with his colleagues held a reception for NALAS representatives.
Representatives of NALAS also held working sessions with all participants of the event.
Otherwise, the Friendship project, which is aimed at widening cooperation between Mongolia and the European Union in Darkhan-Uul province and at supporting the social and economic development of the Darkhan region, will be implemented from 2022 to 2025.
Friendship project IS aimED at widening cooperation between Mongolia and the European Union
The project aims, among others, to strengthen smart e-government with the participation of citizens, support the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, and support green development in order to ensure the sustainable growth of Darkhan-Uul province.
In accordance with its action plan, NALAS organizes task force for specific topics important for local self-government. The focus of the activity is on local finances, urban planning, waste management, institutional development and energy efficiency.
NALAS is a network established under the auspices of the Stability Pact for South-east Europe and the Council of Europe with its headquarters in Strasbourg.
(foto: http://darkhan.gov.mn/)