The representative of Osh spoke at the UN Forum

The 11th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF 11) was held in the city of Katowice (Poland) from 26 to 30 June 2022. Organized by UN-Habitat, this landmark event takes place every two years and brings together leaders in the field of sustainable urbanization from around the world.

This year's WUF11 theme is "Transforming Our Cities for a Better Urban Future". It enabled participants to better understand and clarify the future of cities based on existing trends, challenges and opportunities, and proposed ways for cities to better prepare to combat future pandemics and a wide range of other shocks.

As part of WUF11, UCLG, jointly with the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments, organized a round table for local and regional governments dedicated to "Mind Cities for a Better Future for All".

This round table was held on June 27 and focused on the most important issues of urban development: multi-level governance; financing of local development; provision of basic urban services; care and social integration.

Bekbolot Arzibaev, Deputy of Osh City Council, delivered a speech on behalf of UCLG-Eurasia.

“For the purpose of preserving and improving the environment, the city of Osh decided to gradually move to a green economy. For the practical implementation of this issue, the city plans to purchase public electric buses, and measures are being taken to increase green spaces and park areas in the city of Osh,” shared the Deputy of the Osh City Council.

The importance of the transition to a green economy was also emphasized by Rasmus Reinvang, Deputy Mayor of Oslo (Norway). He noted that the priority areas for the city are waste management and renewable energy sources. However, during the implementation of projects, the problem of inequality became obvious, namely, that for vulnerable and low-income segments of the population it is more difficult to switch to new transformations, and they are also the least protected from various types of stresses and shocks.

In his speech, Bekbolot Arzibaev also raised several matters of concern of the city of Osh (the Kyrgyz Republic), in particular tourism and the economy.

“Tourism determines a trend of preserving cultural and historical values, developing the economy, creating new jobs, while not damaging the environment and ecology,” Bekbolot Arzibaev emphasized in his report.

It is worth noting that in 2021, at the First International Tourism Forum held in Osh, international experts recognized the city of Osh as a tourist provider of the Great Silk Road. This allows to revive the former greatness of the ancient city and gives a powerful impetus to the development of small and medium-sized businesses, investment projects, and the entire economy of the region as a whole.

Bekbolot Arzibaev concluded by noting that the city of Osh is open to further strengthening of friendly relations and it is ready for close cooperation with all stakeholders.

Mayor of Soria Carlos Martinez, Mayor of Kitchener Berry Vrbanovic, Mayor of Sala Carola Gunnarsson, Mayor of Pereira Carlos Maya, Director of UN-Habitat Global Solutions Rafael Tuts and others took the floor during the round table as well.

28.06.2022

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