Our annual conference in Espoo has started with an exciting programme. you can follow live!

Three European Commissioners participating, three strands of discussions running through the programme, three panel debates, one gala evening, many opportunities to meet, exchange and rekindle contacts.

Great speakers – keynotes, panel debates and more

We will welcome a great line up of speakers including:

• Frans Timmermans, European Commission Executive Vice President
• Jyrki Katainen, President of Sitra and former European Commission Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness
• Dubravka Šuica, European Commission Vice-President for Democracy and Demography
• Apostolos Tzitzikostas, President of the Committee of Regions
• Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth
• Tytti Tuppurainen, Finnish Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering
• Antti Vasara, CEO of VTT Technical Research Center of Finland

Find out more about them here https://eurocities2022.eu/programme. We will also welcome many mayors and deputy mayors from Eurocities – to be announced soon – watch this space!

Mayors’ Meeting, Thursday 9 June

We are holding a Mayors Meeting on Thursday afternoon on the Ukraine crisis. Local leaders will meet in a private session to discuss issues such as refugee reception and integration, energy dependence and post-war reconstruction support.

From the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, European Mayors have condemned the Russian attacks, engaged in solidarity actions to maintain public pressure against the war and received millions of refugees. The Mayors’ Meeting is an opportunity to take stock and discuss further activities.

Co-creation workshops, Thursday 9 June

The past years have demonstrated the importance of acting hand in hand with local communities, and how crucial it is to make use of the European networks to achieve our mutual goals of environmental, economic, social and cultural sustainability. In our co-creation sessions, participants will gain insights into sustainability challenges currently faced by cities and will discuss possible solutions.

Future Mentors

Bringing together the younger generation and the mayors of European cities, the Future Mentors programme takes a direct step towards a more inclusive and sustainable tomorrow. Youth representatives are currently active in this initiative in 27 cities across Europe and will be adding their perspective to keynotes and workshops during our conference in Espoo. Part of the official programme of the European Year of Youth, the dialogue between city leaders and young citizens provides vital orientation for future decision-making and sustainable city development.

And of course,  not forgetting the Eurocities Awards 2022 – find out more here https://eurocities.eu/latest/eurocities-awards-nominees-2022/

Information and registration www.eurocities2022.eu