The mayor of Zaragoza, Natalia Chueca, has defended in Strasbourg (France), before a delegation of members of the European Parliament, the need for the community institutions to facilitate a direct financing fund for cities that, like the Aragonese capital, want to be climate neutral in 2030.
It is the most notable conclusion of the Eurocities event – the main network of European cities – that the Zaragoza mayor, recently appointed Commissioner for Industry and Competitiveness of the Shadow Commission of this entity, has claimed. He was accompanied by the municipal councilor for Finance and European Funds, Blanca Solans.
Natalia Chueca has defended that this direct financing fund should come directly from the European Commission, without the intermediation of central and regional governmentsso that cities can carry out decarbonization and competitiveness policies.
“This is one of the main challenges that Europe has and it involves the cities, where 70% of the population is concentrated,” said Chueca.
In this sense, the mayor of Zaragoza has opted for “accelerate industries that have to do with green policies: renewable energies, circular economy, sustainable mobility and housing” and has also pointed out “the possibility of establishing common purchasing and investment policies between the different cities to facilitate this cooperation and make the European market larger and more competitive compared to the Chinese or American market, especially in strategic sectors, to avoid foreign dependence and provide greater security”.
Next Eurocities event in Zaragoza
The Aragonese capital will host, from November 27 to 29, the next annual meeting of Eurocitiesa network of European cities based in Brussels and whose objective is to improve the quality of life of municipalities through the exchange of ideas, experiences and proposals.
Around 150 people from across the continent are expected to attend, representing around 70 cities. The event, which will take place in the Etopia building, will increase the international profile of Zaragoza, will favor its external projection by publicizing the main transformation projects of the city and will allow synergies to be established with other European cities, in addition to generating a significant economic impact during those three days.
Zaragoza will present to its European partners some of the city projects that have positioned it as a European reference within the Mission of Climate Neutral Cities.
For example, in the event the projects will be announced of sustainable mobility, urban regeneration, rehabilitation, culture and accessibility, the Bosque de los Zaragozanos or the future City of Cinema.
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