On January 18, 2022 round table discussion “Roadman for concept development of a multi-level governance for energy and climate policies implementation in Turkey” took place in Ankara, Turkey. In this event Lithuanian representatives presented the experience of Lithuanian municipalities in the field of energy and climate change. A cooperation agreement between the Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania (ALAL) and the Union of Turkish Municipalities was also signed during this event.
In his speech about Lithuanian municipalities experience in energy transition and climate change actions, ALAL President Mindaugas Sinkevičius stressed that the role of municipalities in achieving climate change mitigation goals is crucial: the more measures that are taken at the local level, the better the chances of achieving these goals. Lithuanian municipalities have been active for years in sustainable transport development, energy efficiency, air pollution reduction and sustainable waste management.
“One of the most important objectives today is to bring together local, national and international agendas on climate change policy so that the challenges we face are perceived as opportunities and the changes are implemented in a sustainable way. After all, green solutions are not part of some theoretical strategy, but directly improve our quality of life – less traffic pollution and noise, better air quality, more stable urban infrastructure and more green spaces, more biodiversity, energy savings, better quality buildings and public spaces, and finally – a healthier and more interactive lifestyle,” said the ALAL President in Ankara.
Initiatives such as the Covenant of Mayors, which obliges municipalities to implement innovative climate change measures, are becoming more important than ever. Since its launch in 2008, 17 Lithuanian municipalities have participated in this initiative. Mr. Sinkevičius accordingly invited municipalities in Turkey to become part of the Covenant of Mayors.
The Mayor of Tauragė, a signatory of the Covenant of Mayors, Dovydas Kaminskas, presented the experience of Tauragė municipality in implementing green solutions.
A cooperation agreement was also signed between the ALAL and the Union of Turkish Municipalities during the event. The agreement stipulates that the two associations will seek to maintain regular contacts and cooperation, to promote the development of partnership between Turkish and Lithuanian local authorities in various fields, including economy, culture, education, local business, development cooperation, improvement of public administration, environmental protection, climate change, urban development, energy management, organisation of public utility services, organisation of local transport and other areas.
The signing of the agreement was coordinated by the Lithuanian Embassy in Turkey. Mr. Sinkevičius and Mr. Kaminskas met with Ambassador Richardas Degutis on the eve of the meeting.
Currently, three Lithuanian municipalities have cooperation relations with Turkey.
About the project
The event was organised in the framework of the EU4 Energy Transition “Covenant of Mayors in the Western Balkans and Turkey” project, which aims to implement energy transformation and tackle climate change in the Western Balkans and Turkey by helping cities in the region to meet their energy and climate change commitments. The project is implemented by the Central Project Management Agency (CPMA) together with its project partner ALAL.
The project, which is implemented from February 2021 in partnership with the German Agency for Development Cooperation (GIZ), is worth EUR 9 335 000. The CPVA is responsible for the Turkish part of the project. The project is scheduled to run until 28 February 2025.
Photo credit belongs to the Project team.
Info source – ALAL.
