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AER Autumn Events | 9-10 December 2025, Brussels

9 December 2025 - 10 December 2025

AER Celebrates 40 Years: Join Us for the 2025 Autumn Events!

As the Assembly of European Regions (AER) marks its 40th Anniversary, we invite you to a series of forward-looking discussions shaping the future of territorial cohesion across Europe. From key developments in the MFF negotiations to ensuring accessible public services, this year’s Autumn events offer spaces for dialogue, exchange, and action to strengthen the place-based approach at the heart of regional cooperation.

Deadline for registrations: 24 November 2025 (COB)


Programme Overview

(click here for the downloadable version)

📅 Tuesday, 9 December 2025

 10:00 – 11:30 Meeting of the AER Working Group on Mental Health

This meeting marks the culmination of two years of work dedicated to exploring and sharing regional best practices in mental health. It will be an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the Working Group’s achievements, and to discuss how to advance the work done. The discussion will be enriched by inputs from:

  • Norbert Nagy, President of the Youth Regional Network
  • Michele Calabrò, Director, and Marco Di Donato, Policy and Projects Officer, from the network of European Regional and Local Health Authorities (EUREGHA)
📍Region Värmland   European Office (Rue du Luxembourg 3, 1000) 🔒 Only AER members

14:00 – 15:30 First Plenary of the AER Intercultural Regional Network

The first IRN Plenary aims to strengthen the foundations of the IRN as a dynamic and inclusive network of regional authorities committed to intercultural inclusion and equality. The meeting will include the approval of the terms of reference and the 2026 Work plan.

📍AER Officces, (Rue d’Arlon 63-67, 1040) 🌍 Open to the public

15:45 – 17:30 Which Governance for the AER of the Future?

This in-person discussion aims to enable a thorough assessment of the effectiveness, agility, and impact of the current AER governance structures.

📍AER Offices, (Rue d’Arlon 63-67, 1040) 🔒 Only AER members

18:00 – 19:30 AER 40th Anniversary Debate: The Future of Interregional Cooperation

This debate is a continuation of the principles and achievements established over 40 years of working for advancing regional democracy and interregional cooperation. It will bring together regional leaders from across Europe to discuss how regions can enhance democracy, promote collaboration, drive innovation, and tackle shared challenges, followed by the 40th Anniversary Reception offered by Lower Austria.

Confirmed speakers:

  • Lukas Mandl, AER President and Member of the European Parliament
  • Marc Cools, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
  • Pavel Branda (ECR/CZ), Chair of the Cross-border Interregional group in the European Committee of the Regions
  • Aida Karimli, AER Vice President, Deputy Regional Councillor in Västra Götaland, Sweden, Vice Chair of the Environment and Regional Development Committee
📍Lower Austrian European Liaison Office, (Rue Montoyer 40, 1000)

🎉 Open event + Reception

📅 Wednesday, 10 December 2025 — Autumn Bureau Meeting & Ukraine Focus Group Meeting

📍 Zweig Visitor Centre, European Parliament (Ardenne-Belliard, Rue d’Ardenne, 1000 Bruxelles)
🪪 Security Check at the Zweig Visitor Centre

Agenda

📝 Working documents

8:20 Security Check at the Zweig Visitor Centre

9:00 Welcome & Introductions

9:10 Bureau Updates – Institutional Relations & Advocacy 

9:20 Dialogue on Cohesion Policy & MFF with Members of the European  Parliament  & Adoption Position Paper on Cohesion Policy post-2027

The meeting will focus on the future of Cohesion Policy post-2027 and the priorities of regions for the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework. (Read more here)

10:20 Identification of Bureau Priority Topics 

10:30 ☕ Coffee Break

11:00 Bureau Debate“No Services, No Stay: Turning Access Into a Right”

The Bureau debate on No Services, No Stay: Turning Access into a Right, will discuss how access to services is key to retaining talent, boosting prosperity and enhancing the competitiveness of European regions.

Confirmed speakers:

  • Gerry Murray, Councillor, Mayo (Ireland)
  • Daniel Schützer, Regional Councillor, Värmland (Sweden)
  • Robert Matić, Vice-President, Primorje-Gorski Kotar (Croatia)
  • Marc Bournisien De Valmont, Policy analyst at the Regional Development and Multi-level Governance Division of the Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, and Regions & Cities (OECD)
  • Kadri Uustal, Head of Unit Cities, Communities, People, DG REGIO, European Commission

12:30 Closing Remarks

Free time

Ukraine Focus Group Meeting

16:00

Grand Est Representation Office (Rue du Luxembourg, 15 B-1000 Bruxelles)

*only for AER members

 


Details

Venue

  • Brussels
  • Belgium

Organiser

  • AER