Interregional and International Cooperation

The complex task of improving governance and accomplishing sustainable development can only be achieved through a comprehensive, multi-level and multi-stakeholder approach. In this context, regional and local governance are essential for any successful endeavour aimed at tackling the most imminent challenges we are facing today – namely sustainable development, climate change, migration, poverty reduction, education and the promotion of democratic values.

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) – the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe, promoting international and interregional cooperation in the fields of economic regional development, social policy and public health, as well as culture and education – has a vision of international cooperation animated by the will to:

• Foster and intensify the cooperation between regions with the aim of finding common approaches to successfully meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

• Coordinate regional projects in the field of development with support of the EU and other organisations (UN agencies, etc.).

• Strengthen regional networks between AER members concerning specific geographic or thematic foci, such as the South-East and East Europe, or renewable energy.

• Provide support to regions in form of tools and instruments for interregional and international co-operation.

Since its creation in 1985, AER acquired considerable expertise in the field of regional governance, decentralization and territorial development – both within Europe and beyond. AER has worked with regions that are very different in terms of economic, political and human development. The underlying principle ensuring the success of AER’s work is that of organizing encounters and providing a platform where politicians, specialists and citizens can not only exchange knowledge on topics of common interest but also develop practical solutions to overcome respective challenges.

AER cooperates closely with EuroIndia Center, a not-for-profit association, supported by more than 51 individual and institutional members widely dpread over 20-odd cities in about 10 states in India and Europe.

It focuses on bringing European and Indians together again for a shared future and on restoring their historical partnership through concrete and novel initiatives.

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