AER and R20 take big steps forward!

A joint venture aiming to generate a large volume of bankable projects from African sub-national authorities was announced today in Paris.

The joint venture involves the Assembly of European Regions (AER), the R20, the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM) and the European Commission.

This grouping of actors follows on several years of partnership with the R20 and the European Commission on developing access to funding for sub-national governments, leading to promising negotiations during COP23.

Magnus Berntsson, AER and R20 President, Arnold Schwarzenegger, R20 Founder, Maroš Šefčovič, European Commission Vice President and Global Covenant Co-Chair, presented this important declaration at the One Planet Summit.

Presenting the @Regions20 partnership with @MagnusBerntsson, AER President, @Schwarzenegger and @MarosSefcovic. Pleased to be cooperating on such an important project. pic.twitter.com/Vl1MbnhOHv

— AER (@europeanregions) December 12, 2017

The European Commission, the R20 and the GCoM will seek synergies to support the development of bankable low carbon and climate resilient infrastructures projects that meet the Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Climate Change Agreement  which will be located in partner developing countries.

How is AER involved?

The AER will be monitoring the process in order to be ready to replicate similar funding initiatives for European regions should the African initiative prove successful.

Progress and first results will be shown at the 2018 R20 Austrian World Summit (15 May, Vienna-AT) and the Global Climate Action Summit (12-14 September, San Francisco-USA). AER will present at both events and invite its members to take part in the discussions.

AER is proud to have been instrumental in making this partnership agreement possible and to be, once more, in the middle of the action!