The two-day International Forum of Local Economic Development will be opened at The Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi on September 13, the 10th of its kind since the annual forum was established in 2007.

The Forum is said to be a unique regional platform for discussing issues related to the development of municipalities. In addition, forum participants have the opportunity to share ideas and experience and to establish future cooperation between the private and public sectors, local and international experts and members of civil society.

This year’s International Economic Forum for Local Economic Development is a large-scale event based on sessions of multilateral topics and numerous rapporteurs and will see representatives attending from numerous countries: the US, Austria, the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Sweden, Moldova, Ukraine, Holland, Denmark, Jordan, Poland, Slovakia, Belgium, Israel, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Kazakhstan.

The forum will be attended by up to hundred international speakers, including Director General of the European Commission Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiation Director, Christian Danielsson; Asian Development Bank Knowledge Management and Vice President of Sustainable Development, Bambang Susantono; EBRD Chief Economist, Kathyl Twadt; EBRD Consultant, Robert Bailey; Executive Director of Barcelona Tourism Council, Jord Williams Carnes; and more.

The conference part of the event will last for two days. 16 Topic Sessions will be held: Good Governance, Cities for Economic Growth, Urban Resilience, Resilient Future, Smart Environment, Energy Efficiency, Future Cities, Goals & Visions, International Relations, EAP & Enlargement, Invest in City, Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Global Trade, City Tourism, Innovative Positioning and Branding Strategies, Integrated Approaches for Territorial Development, and Open Government Partnership.

16 moderators will moderate the forum, with around 100 presenters, including 50 invited international speakers.

As a result of the Forum, Tbilisi City will receive recommendations, consultations and specific projects for development of the city as well as economic, urban and environmental development: Developing international relations and establishing new contacts; the city’s investment potential presentation; Introducing the wide range of activities in the field of electronic management in Tbilisi; Sharing successful experiences from different cities in energy efficiency and green towns; and future views of the city.

The ‘Green City Action Plan’ will be presented at the conclusion of the Forum and Tbilisi will be awarded the Club Membership Certificate for ‘Mayors for Economic Growth’.

Katie Ruth Davies

GeorgiaToday