The conference "Mediterranean, Climate and Cities", organised on 27-28 June 2009 in Marseille, addressed the issues of urban vulnerability to climate change and energy efficiency in the Middle East and North Africa countries. Academics, practitioners and decision makers met in Marseille in order to provide a platform to present their work, share their experiences and debate various subjects. Union of Municipalities of Marmara (Turkey) has taken active part in the sessions, represented by Prof.Dr. Mikdat Kadıoğlu, adviser of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality on risk management, and Murat Daoudov, Director of EU & International Relations Centre of UMM.

The conference focused on understanding climate change impact on cities and how cities can tackle these challenge; on finding best practices to improve the energy efficiency of cities and the urban management and planning facing to climate change; on how local governments should act in this context. The event was jointly organised by French Caisse des Depots, Institut des Sciences et des Techniques de l'Equipement et de l'Environnement pour le Développement ISTED, the World Bank, Marseille-Provence-Metropole Communaute Urbaine, in partnership with the City of Marseille and the Euromed Public Establishment. The conference gathered specialists from a wide variety of fields such as climate change, environment, energy efficiency, urbanism and finance, as well as local authorities, and representatives of international organisation s and financial institutions. This high level conference aimed at discussing the research, practice and decision making needs (urban governance support). It spelled out incentive policies, economic measures and financial mechanisms of adaptation strategies (costs and benefits) that are relevant to be implemented in this region.

In the first session of the conference focused on "Environment and Climate Change", Prof.Dr. Mikdat Kadioglu presented the continuing efforts made to strengthen the Integrated Disaster Management in Istanbul and the impact of climate change on the city. "A important earthquake is expected in Istanbul and extensive preparatory work should be carried out." he said.
Murat Daoudov took the floor during the "Energy Efficiency" session, where he stressed the role of local governments in enhancing efficiency in energy management. He gave examples of practices of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.

Visit to Marseille Centre for Mediterranean Integration (MCMI)

In Marseille, Mr Murat Daoudov also visited the Marseille Centre for Mediterranean Integration (MCMI), jointly established by the World Bank, European Investment Bank, French Development Agency and national and international development finance institutions. The Centre aims at providing coordination between resources allocated to urban development in the Mediterranean region. Morocco, Algeria, Syria, Jordan are expected to join soon the newly created body. The MCMI intends to become a platform for assistance for policy reform in the partner countries bringing together key actors in the development of the Mediterranean, such as financial institutions, UN agencies, universities and think tanks.

During the meeting in the margins of the conference, the representatives of the European Investment Bank, World Bank, French Development Agency and Caisse des Depots expressed their wish for see Turkey fully involved in the management of the Centre. Murat Daoudov expressed the interest of the UMM to cooperate with the MCMI. "Local government and urban development experience of Turkey will significantly contribute to the development of modern urban policies in the Mediterranean countries. I will inform the UMM's leadership about the initiative and I hope we will be able to initiate a dialogue with our central authorities for Turkey's full membership in this regional platform", he said.

Source: http://www.marmara.gov.tr/newsdetail.aspx?newsId=393