Local and regional leaders from across the EU will be meeting in Gdańsk to discuss measures needed to boost recovery and resilience of local economies. Representatives of local and regional authorities will also discuss measures to strengthen democracy in the light of constant threats due to foreign interference, fake news and politicisation of public broadcasting.
The meeting is being convened by Olgierd Geblewicz, President of the EPP-CoR Group and President of West Pomerania Region (Poland); Mieczysław Struk, President of Pomorskie Region (Poland) and Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdańsk (Poland).
The role of innovative cities and regions as the driving force for a competitive Europe will be debated with Rafał Trzaskowski, Mayor of Warsaw (Poland) and Adam Struzik, President of Mazovia Region, Deputy Leader of the Polish People's Party (Poland).
The situation in Ukraine and local action to safeguard democracy will be discussed with Andriy Sadovyi, Mayor of Lviv (Ukraine) and Mieczysław Struk, President of Pomorskie Region (Poland).
The meeting will come to an end with the adoption of the Gdańsk Declaration which will emphasise the importance of multi-level governance for the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) to reap fruit. Through the declaration, local and regional leaders are also expected to commit to fight foreign interference and misinformation.
During their visit, members will also commemorate Paweł Adamowicz, - the former Mayor of Gdańsk, assassinated during public duties in 2019 – at the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Since then, the European Committee of the Regions has established the Paweł Adamowicz award to inspire local and regional elected representatives to make democracy work at a local level by supporting better and more open communities.
The event can be followed in English via Facebook Live.
The agenda is available here.