Two Ukrainian cities and regions are admitted as members at the UBC board meeting in Riga

On Thursday, April 25, the annual board meeting of the Union of the Baltic Cities (UBC) took place in Riga, where options for promoting Ukraine’s integration in Europe were discussed. potential activities for the support of Ukrainian cities and their reconstruction after the war, as well as the role of the digital transformation of the Baltic Sea region in strengthening the security of the region.

“Riga has proven itself as a resilient city that is able to adapt and overcome various challenges. We have come out of each crisis stronger and more independent than before, and we must work hard together in the entire Baltic Sea region to repeat it again. At one time, the Nordic countries provided significant support in our European integration, now we can help Ukraine in the same way”, emphasizes the deputy chairman of the Riga City Council, Linda Ozola, who was re-elected as a member of the UBC board in 2021 and 2023.

The heads of the Rubizhne and Chernihivka military administrations, as well as the Rivne region, presented their applications at the UBC board meeting. The UBC board supported the admission of these candidates to the status of associate members, which provides the opportunity to participate without voting rights in the various events and activities of the UBC format, as well as to apply for European Union co-financing in joint projects with UBC.

During the event, there were also meetings and discussions of working groups and commissions on the issues of renewable security, sustainability and city planning, as well as on the role of youth involvement and digital transformation in strengthening the security of the region.

The participants of the event additionally visited various thematic sights: “Urban environment and mobility zone” – VEFRESH quarter and VERDE office complex; Startups, biomedicine” – SAF technique and Cell Box Labs; Innovations, architecture and education – LU science house and Ola foundation.

The Union of Cities of the Baltic Sea Region unites 69 cities from nine countries of the Baltic Sea Region. It was founded in 1991 in Gdańsk (founded by 32 cities, including Riga) to promote cooperation between Western European (Germany, Scandinavian) and Eastern European cities.

UBC organizes its work in seven commissions: Planning Cities, Sustainable Cities, Safe Cities, Youthful Cities, Smart and Prosperous Cities, Cultural Cities, Socially Inclusive and Healthy Cities. Riga participates in the following commissions: Planning cities, Youthful cities, Sustainable cities, Cultural cities, Safe cities.

The UBC Local Security and Public Order Working Group was officially approved during the first meeting in Riga in 2010. On the basis of this working group, the “Safe Cities” commission was established.

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