10th International Forum for Local Economic Development Starts in Tbilisi

The International Forum of Local Economic Development commenced at Biltmore Hotel, Tbilisi, yesterday; a two-day event organized by the Tbilisi Municipality. The conference was attended by hundreds of top international speakers from USA, Austria, Germany, England, Spain, Italy, France, Moldova, Ukraine, Sweden, Netherlands, Slovakia, Poland, Belgium, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Israel and Turkey in order to discuss topics ranging from governance, cities for economic growth, urban resilience, smart environment, energy efficiency, entrepreneurial opportunities in global trade, international relations, city tourism, open government partnerships, integrated approaches for territorial development and many other subjects. 

The forum was opened with welcome speeches from Ms. Courtney Fingar, Editor of FDI Magazine within the Financial Times, Tbilisi Mayor Mr. Davit Narmania, Mr. Bambang Susantono, Vice President of Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development, Asian Development Bank, Mr. Christian Danielsson, Director General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations at the European Commission, Ms. Elizabeth Rood, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Georgia, Mr. Bruno Balvanera, EBRD Regional Director for Caucasus, Moldova and Belarus and Mr. Grigol Liluashvili, Chairman of Regional Policy and Self Government Committee at the Parliament of Georgia. 

“Part of our agreement is discovering new investment destinations and areas of the world that have potential for future development and investment. We have had an eye on Georgia for quite a long time because of the exiting reforms that are taking place here. Of course, as you all know, the government places a huge priority on business reforms and improving the investment environment,” Courtney Fingar, Editor of FDI Magazine, Financial Times, said in her opening speech at the conference. 

“The main focus of the forum this year is Progressive Cities, cities that aim to be sustainable, active and economically developed,” Davit Narmania, Mayor of Tbilisi pointed in his opening speech, as he talked about the many infrastructural projects realized, in partnership with the financial support from international organizations such as the EBRD and Asian Development Fund. Tbilisi's mayor then thanked the guests and participants attending the event, as well as the international partners, and noted that the conference offers a platform to share experience that will benefit the development not only of Georgia’s capital, but other cities as well. 

Bambang Susantono, Vice President of the Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development, Asian Development Bank, who was the keynote speaker at the event, underlined the importance of resilience for these cities, and went on to note the projects realized with the financial assistance of ADB in Tbilisi and further afield in Georgia 

Christian Danielsson, Director General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations at the European Commission, emphasized how essential it is for the cities to respond to economic change in such a fast changing world, and injecting new dynamics to sustain economic development. He also underlined the importance of active municipalities and cities in order to facilitate sustainable economic development and growth, while local authorities need to engage with the private sector and with public organizations and civil society, and talked about the programs the European Commission provides in support to Georgia. 

“The United States remains committed to Georgia and that includes our ongoing efforts to support local governance”, Elizabeth Rood, Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy in Georgia said, while addressing the audience. She underlined the importance of transparency, accountability and citizen participation in order to sustain a good level of local governance, noting the assistance the United States’ Agency for International Development (USAID), which has been providing support to a number of cities in Georgia including Batumi, Kutaisi and Akhaltsikhe to introduce participatory budgeting, and to improve service delivery. 

“We have also seen positive effects from the efforts made in making governments more responsive. Entrepreneurship is booming in Georgia, more small businesses are operating now than ever before,” she said, further citing the assistance provided by USAID, with the opening of 10 civic engagement centers in Georgia that are used for public discussions, seminars, training and outreach by municipalities, NGO’s and other parties. 

Bruno Balvanera, EBRD Regional Director for Caucasus, Moldova and Belarus talked about the importance of using renewable energy for sustainable development of cities. He stated that energy efficiency is one of the primary goals, as many years ago EBRD started an energy efficiency plan which has expanded and is set to become more ambitious in the future, noted Balvanera. 

“Georgia is a very special country for EBRD; it is the country with the largest investment of capital, it is the place that we see as leading in the second wave of reforming countries, after the first wave in central Europe, and clearly Georgia is leading these efforts by means of transparent elections, clear policies and priorities.” Bruno Balvanera said. 

“Tbilisi is one of the first cities in the EBRD area that is going to be supported on the green cities framework” he pointed out, adding that on the second day of the conference a detailed report that EBRD has been closely working on with Tbilisi Municipality will be presented on how Tbilisi can afford medium and long-term policies to have green and sustainable development. 

“One of the main challenges we’re facing is the migration process from rural parts of our country to the bigger cities, and we aim to develop both the rural and urban centers equally. There are numerous projects realized in this regard, and I would like to thank our international partners for that.” said Grigol Liluashvili, Chairman of Regional Policy and Self Government Committee at the Parliament of Georgia, as he talked about the importance of the forum on local economic development, that enables the sharing of the vast experience of the countries in attendance. 

By Nino Gugunishvili

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