Jānis Lange, Executive Director of the Riga City Council, attended the three-day annual meeting of executive directors of European capitals in Cyprus. This year's theme was "Urban resilience" and 20 countries were represented.
"Participation in the meeting of executive directors of European capitals provides a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences on strengthening urban resilience and modern governance. It is important for Riga to be part of this dialogue, especially at a time when both human capital development and digital solutions are becoming increasingly important. We are delighted at the opportunity to welcome our colleagues to Riga next year, thereby strengthening international cooperation and raising the city’s profile," said Jānis Lange, Executive Director of the Riga City.
The event focused on the institutional, climate and crisis management resilience of cities and municipalities. The first session focused on human capital development in the public sector, attracting and retaining talent in capital city administrations, as well as the use of digital solutions and artificial intelligence for more effective governance and decision-making. Representatives from Riga shared their experience on HR strategy, staff development and modern HR management in municipalities.
The second session focused on urban resilience to climate change and natural disasters. The discussion focused on readiness for crises, the development of recovery plans, and the importance of cooperation in climate adaptation processes.
The third session addressed issues related to the financial stability of capital cities, economic governance, and the ability to maintain sustainable development in a changing economic environment. The participants also discussed local government financial autonomy, opportunities to secure European Union funding, and the use of innovative financial instruments for urban development. It also anlysed the challenges of budgetary constraints and the need to ensure sound economic governance in the long term.
Next year, the annual meeting of European city executive directors will take place in Riga, underscoring the city’s significant role in cooperation among European local governments. The event will bring together city leaders and experts from different countries to discuss topical issues in urban development, innovation and sustainable solutions. It will also be an opportunity to strengthen Riga's international visibility and foster new collaborations.
A total of 20 countries from Cyprus, Austria, the Netherlands, Greece, Serbia, Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, Finland, Slovenia, Spain, the Czech Republic, Iceland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Sweden, Estonia, Lithuania, Croatia and Latvia took part in the meeting.
Information was prepared by Sintija Placinska, Project Coordinator of the External Communication Division of the Riga City Council, email sintija.lukjanska@riga.lv