Brussels, 15/06/2004 (Agence Europe) - To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Charter of Aalborg on sustainable urban development, the representatives of the 110 European signatory municipalities have renewed their commitment in writing to promote sustainable development by local actions.
After the fourth European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns, on Aalborg +10- the future as a source of inspiration-, sustainable development seen from a local viewpoint (see EUROPE of 9 June, p.17), these local authorities signed the Aalborg Commitments, thus committing to: increase citizens' involvement in efforts for more sustainable governance; -formulate, implement and evaluate urban management plans to improve urban sustainability; -preserve natural resources as common heritage; -promote responsible consumption; promote urban planning as a vital element in tackling environmental, social, economic and healthcare issues; -improve mobility by promoting sustainable transport; -encourage local action for health (as local authorities have a duty to protect their citizens' health); -create a sustainable local economy, to create jobs without harming the environment; -work for social equity and justice; -act for sustainable development locally and beyond the boundaries of the European Union.
"We must build a bridge between the Aalborg Commitments, the Commission's decisions on thematic strategies for the urban environment and the Sustainable Cities and Towns Campaign. The City of Aalborg is willing to continue to administer the Aalborg Commitments process for the next year", said Henning G. Jensen, mayor of Aalborg.
Jeremy Smith, Secretary General of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions, said "the ten Aalborg Commitments should be seen as a tool to help local authorities to establish qualitative and quantitative objectives to implement the principles of sustainable urban development as per the Aalborg Charter (...). Sustainable development is not a matter of growth and the environment. It embraces many other fields, such as education and social inclusion. And as 80% of Europeans live in an urban area, it is clear that local authorities must act as pioneers and show national and European authorities the way".
Margot Wallström, European Commissioner for the Environment, welcomed the work achieved by the local authorities. "The European Commission has provided only modest impetus in the implementation of Agenda 21 at local level. If we have moved forward on this issue, it is thanks to your work at local level. On this crucial point, the Commission cannot do much more than to help you. Decisions are still in your hands", she declared.