I. Metshin: "Every UCLG city can share its successful problem solving...

(Kazan, KZN.RU, November 26, by Adelya Galieva) The United Cities and Local Governments World Council meeting, which ended in Haikou, China, was a good platform for exchanging experiences and best practices in addressing urban development problems. This opinion was expressed by Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin while assessing the results of the meeting.

Speaking at the World Council meeting, UCLG Co-President Ilsur Metshin noted the role of the Eurasian Regional Branch in creating the Eurasian community, increasing civic awareness and bringing together city heads to solve local problems.

The mayor of Kazan noted the Eurasian section's improved efficiency. He emphasized the importance of international city rankings, initiated by organization members for the first time in world practice, and of devising objective criteria for city evaluation. "We believe that regular city rankings will boost their activities and ultimately lead to their improved recognition, investment attractiveness and increased tourist flow," Ilsur Metshin stated confidently. According to the mayor, the first ratings will be based on the 2014 results.

The head of the capital of Tatarstan also expressed his opinion about the prospects of Eurasian integration. "For us, at the municipal level, Eurasian integration will help solve such pressing issues as affordable housing construction, public transportation development, improving the environment and drinking water quality, highly skilled job creation and creating opportunities for young people's self-realization," said Ilsur Metshin.

During the meeting, the participants got acquainted with the 2013-2014 UCLG report and heard the organization program for 2015.

Commenting on the results of the event, Ilsur Metshin stressed that while discussing the role of local city governments and of their leaders in solving urban problems, all the participants noted the importance of inter-municipal cooperation.

"Every UCLG Eurasian Regional Branch member city has its problems and can share its experience in their solution. It is not necessary to reinvent the wheel. We can take advantage of proven techniques and methods of solving urban development problems. Such meetings where we can exchange experience are an important tool in our work," stressed Ilsur Metshin.

He also noted the fact that Kazan had an opportunity to present in Haikou the FINA World Championships to be held in the capital of Tatarstan next year. "Mayors from Europe, South and North America, as well as the heads of virtually all Chinese cities were brought together in Haikou, and many of them showed a keen interest in both Kazan and Tatarstan. We invited all participants to attend the Championships as honored guests, members of delegations, athletes and tourists," said Ilsur Metshin.

The Kazan mayor praised the UCLG meeting results, noting that all the participants were interested in cooperation. "Kazan should more actively promote itself in the future and present its interests on the international arena," summed up I. Metshin.