The ISOCARP2015 congress comes at a time of unprecedented global urbanization. Voices from the global level down to the ground – in both the public and private sector – are calling for a ‘planning’ approach to address the complex challenges that this brings. The congress is therefore an opportune time to open up to the world, work together and learn from each other. The 51st ISOCARP International Planning Congress “Cities Save the World: Let’s Reinvent Planning” will take place from 19 to 23 October 2015 in the Netherlands where ISOCARP was founded 50 years ago and in Belgium and Germany.
True to its exploratory spirit, ISOCARP is staging a congress with a difference for its 50th anniversary. Cities are increasingly seen as the engines of national economies and the 2015 Dutch hosts are attributing them the driving seat at the congress. Twelve cities in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany will host 2-day interactive workshops on topical themes to them and to planners worldwide. The conclusions and lessons learnt of the workshops will be debated at the plenary in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Adaptation Futures is the biennial conference of the Global Programme of Research on Climate Change Vulnerability, Impacts and Adaptation (PROVIA). In 2016 the European Commission and the Government of the Netherlands co-host the fourth edition. Adaptation Futures 2016 is where scholars, practitioners, policymakers and business people from all around the world go to connect, learn and inspire. It highlights adaptation practices and solutions for people, governments and businesses. The programme addresses all sectors and all parts of the world.
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the Government of India have pledged to make the Bank Group’s 2017 Annual Meetings a resounding success. The Meetings are scheduled to take place in Ahmedabad, the capital of the state of Gujarat, from May 22-26, 2017.
The commitment followed a Memorandum of Understanding endorsed by both parties on Thursday, September 15, 2016, at the end of the Bank’s first Annual Meetings Preparatory mission to assess facilities and logistics for the event in Ahmedabad.
“For us this is a special moment. It officially kick-starts preparations for the 2017 Annual Meetings and underscores the growing cooperation between the Bank and India in particular, and between India and Africa in general,” AfDB Secretary-General, Vincent Nmehielle, said after he signed the MOU on behalf of President Akinwumi Adesina.
The Meetings, taking place on the heels of the India-Africa Summit held in New Delhi last year, would further boost the long-standing economic cooperation between the two sides and open up new avenues for fruitful business engagements between them, he added.
The Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Bandana Preyashi, who signed on behalf of the Finance Secretary, said that the Government and people of India highly appreciate the opportunity they have been given to host the Bank’s most important annual event.