PREPARING UBC AGENDA 21 2002-2003

The UBC is creating a new Agenda 21 Action program for the coming two-year period, 2002-2003. The Executive Board made a decision on starting preparations for the new program in its meeting in Cesis, Latvia, 16-17 March. Technical preparation was delegated to Com. on Environment Secretariat and Local Agenda 21 Working Group.

The current UBC Local Agenda 21 Action Program (2000-2002) was approved by the General Conference in Stockholm 1999. The overall implementation has been very successful. Most of the planned activities will be finalised by the end of 2001. Of the nine finalised or on-going projects, four are co-ordinated by the Commission on Environment Secretariat, and five by different member cities. The goal of wider participation and mobilisation of resources has been met. The total costs of these nine projects are approximately 1.2 MEURO.

These projects have provided good services and participation possibilities to UBC members. As most of them will soon be fully implemented - it is time to plan more.

The goals of the program with regard to political influence, contacts and networking have also been met. The UBC has played an active role in Baltic 21 and HELCOM, being officially responsible for much of the work in cities. We have also been actively involved on the European level, with regard to the Sustainable Cities Campaign and in European expert groups and in liaison and co-operation with the European Commission DG Environment.