The AER’s work goes beyond European borders and we therefore invite you to discover our numerous global activities, described in the following sections :

AER and the Mediterranean

Many European regions have traditional links with the Southern Mediterranean and many more would like to develop some following the Arab Spring. This is why AER has initiated work with this geographical area, in order to further encourage cooperation between regions. On a global scale, AER stays connected with the Mediterranean World through its presence in the dedicated ARLEM network (the Euro-mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly). AER Vice-President Jean-Claude Gayssot is a member of the Committee for sustainable development of ARLEM.

ARLEM was created on Thursday 21 January 2010 in Barcelona, with the aim of strengthening the role of regional authorities in Euro-Mediterranean cooperation and giving a territorial dimension to the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM). In this section, we will show you how the AER’s activities fit within this initiative and how we closely work together to increase cooperation between the three shores of the Mediterranean (south, east and north). Indeed, we aim at demonstrating that, despite the political and institutional difficulties, regional authorities do cooperate and are able to promote the launching and development of new cooperation projects.

Our cooperation with ARLEM brings us:

• Expertise
• Contacts with elected officials of the Southern Mediterranean
• The ARLEM network supports and helps spread AER’s initiatives

NEAR

As one of the most economically thriving part of the world, AER has decided to develop connections with the Association of North-East Asia Regional Governments (NEAR), gathering Presidents of Regions from Japan, China, Russia, Korea and Mongolia.

R20 and climate change

Confronted to global challenges, the AER proposes global solutions to its members!
Indeed, on top of its work with the Committee 1 on Economy and Regional Development, AER has decided to join forces with the R20 given the worldwide issue of climate change. Initially a concept created by Governor Schwarzenegger with a number of Presidents of Regions, Premiers of Provinces and Governors of States from both industrial and developing countries, R20 identified AER as its obvious European partner to prove that fast track actions have to be taken at a regional level.

AER and UNDP

The United Nations Development Program and the Assembly of European Regions, taking into account the importance of decentralised co-operation as an effective mechanism for sustainable development and noting the common commitment to the promotion and implementation of such mechanisms, have decided to join forces in order to develop a concrete cooperation framework.

AER and European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP)

The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) aims to avoid the emergence of new dividing lines between the enlarged EU and the EU neighbours and to strengthen the prosperity, stability and security of all concerned. The EU offers its neighbours a privileged relationship, building upon a mutual commitment to common values. The financial assistance of the ENP is defined in a single instrument, the “European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instruments (ENPI)”, and it is further supported by regional form of cooperation such as the Eastern Partnership and the Black Sea Synergy.