It is vital to promote cities as strategic partners at EU level, and to make them a place that everyone can enjoy a good quality of life and a sustainable future. This can be achieved through exchange on economic development policies in relation to urban development strategies, local economic policies, local innovation ecosystems, entrepreneurship and international economic relations. We are shifting our focus on financing tools and frameworks for a “green and just” transition while working on skill development and talent attraction strategies. Facing today’s multiple intersecting challenges posed by the aforementioned transition, cities need to focus on innovation and experimentation while maintaining a strong position ahead of the EU Elections.