AER President Michèle Sabban calls for member regions to make their voices heard in Copenhagen

Paris, 22 July 2009

Dear Presidents of Region,

We are rapidly approaching our important meeting in Copenhagen, where large world governance guidelines upon environmental matters will be decided. These guidelines, which will be composed in a treaty, will have decisive consequences for our societies, so it is crucial that we mobilise over the course of the next few months so that the voice of the Regions can be heard.

You all know very well that for years, our collective work has undeniably improved sustainable development, but its achievement is still insufficiently recognized in the international realm. Therefore it is essential, if we want the meeting in Copenhagen to be successful, that the representatives most directly involved with implementing these adaptive measures and solutions, place all of their energy upon defining the future objectives and standards which will guide economic activity.

It is for that reason, that I must call your attention to the meeting which was held in Brussels, Friday the 26th of June, between the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Manitoba, and the Spanish province of Catalonia; the content of which you will find enclosed in the press release issued by the Assembly of European Regions.

In partnership with the Climate Group, these Regions have established a strategy to recognize the role of the Federal states and the Regions in the global fight against climate change, particularly in light of the conference in Copenhagen. This, incidentally, is this is the first circumstance of official cooperation between these types of European and North American regional executives.

This initiative, which is a continuation of the world summit held by the Saint-Malo Regions, and a preparation for the next summit to be held in California in October, will constitute, in my opinion, a powerful symbol- a symbol that should serve as an example for the actions that we will undertake in the coming months. It reflects the spirit of the 2005 Montreal Declaration, calling for greater recognition of the role of sub-national committees in the implementation of the mitigation and adaptation of the effects of climate change. Although the regions are now responsible for invoking close to 80% of these measures, their role in negotiating forums remains minor. This is why we cannot stand by, and it is also why I propose that:

•     You provide your support for this recent initiative by signing the petition on the Assembly of European Regions website.
 
•     You have your region participate in the programme, « Making territories less Greenhouse Gas Emitting and more resistant to climate change », developed by the United Nations Development Programme. This programme serves as the backbone to the decentralised cooperation between the North and South, and enables the regions of developing countries to establish a diagnosis and familiarise themselves with the best practices of renewable energy.

Together, and with the AER, we must carry loudly and clearly the only model of government that seeks to fully integrate the development of green energy, in Europe, North America, and within the North and South. This model is constructed by the Regions on a daily basis, and is also one for which we must mobilise now.

Given the urgency of the situation, and without your response, I consider you in support of the initiative.

Please accept, Presidents of Region, the assurance of my highest regards and consideration.

Mrs. Michèle SABBAN
President of the Assembly of European Regions

The Assembly of European Regions  (AER) is the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe. Bringing together more than 270 regions from 33 countries and 16 interregional organisations, AER is the political voice of its members and a forum for interregional co-operation.

AER Contacts:
Richard Medic, Spokesperson / Director of Press and Communications, r.medic@aer.eu - Tel (mob) +33 678 695 235
Francine Huhardeaux, Press and Communications Officer, f.huhardeaux@aer.eu - Tel./ Fax: +33 3 88 22 74 49