Intermediary Cities adopt the Chefchaouen Declaration-Charter of the Intermediary Cities of the World

07.07.2018

The specific character and challenges of intermediary cities have, until recently, received limited attention. Their pivotal role in the achievement of more balanced and sustainable urban development processes, and the reduction of territorial inequalities, makes it imperative that Intermediary Cities become more prominent within the localization processes of all Global Agendas.

In this framework, the UCLG Forum on Intermediary Cities, consolidated as a consultation and policy development process, has adopted the Declaration-Charter of the Intermediary Cities of the World at the first UCLG World Forum of Intermediary Cities – held in the city of Chefchaouen on 5–7 July – which gathered more than 250 participants from 40 different countries.

This first World Forum hosted a dialogue between representatives of governments of Intermediary Cities and other key stakeholders, from a range of international organizations to national and regional governments, and representatives of other types of cities.

Building on the values of solidarity, responsibility and transparency that characterize our century-old world movement, Intermediary Cities committed to contribute to the Global Agendas.

To respond to the challenges raised, Intermediary Cities, with the support of a diverse range of partners, identified a series of strategies and concepts that include a strong recognition of the culture of “good living”, as a key factor to achieve sustainable development. Another important aspect is the inclusion of participatory strategies, with particular emphasis on the participation of women, to acknowledge the needs of the citizenship as the basis of the implementation of the SDGs and other Global Agendas; as well as the creation of mechanisms to enable the development of basic services and infrastructure at the local level to face the growing pressure on Intermediary Cities, making citizens the engine of economic growth at the local level.

Intermediary Cities, and their partners, commit to develop concrete actions in this regard and to work towards a second edition of the UCLG World Forum of Intermediary Cities.

 

Download the Chefchaouen Declaration-Charter of the Intermediary Cities of the World