Program

The Forum brings together metropolitan and local leaders, European and international institutions, and other stakeholders to exchange experiences and discuss the future of metropolitan governance and cooperation.

The programme will open with high-level session reflections from representatives of MMU, AMB, the European Commission and UN-Habitat, followed by the Mayoral Panel “Metropolitan Governance in Practice: Coordination and Policy Innovation for Resilient Futures.” The panel will explore how metropolitan and local leaders can strengthen coordination and develop innovative policy responses to shared challenges.

In the afternoon, three parallel interactive roundtables will address key dimensions of the Forum theme:

• “Water Under Pressure: Integrated Metropolitan Responses to Climate Challenges” will focus on climate-driven water risks, including water scarcity, flooding and water stress, and on integrated approaches linking water management, spatial planning, infrastructure investment and climate adaptation.

• “Metropolitan Roadmaps for Digital and Climate Transitions: Insights from the MICAD Project” will examine inclusive climate and digital transitions, cross-sectoral collaboration and social inequalities.

• “Metropolitan Areas Strengthening Governance and Shaping the European Policy: Insights from the Metro Case Project” will focus on strategic planning, multi-level coordination and the role of metropolitan areas in shaping European policies, including the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034, Cohesion Policy and the EU Agenda for Cities.

The Forum will conclude with the signing of the EMA Declaration and a closing session.

Metropolitan perspective

The metropolitan perspective is at the core of the Forum. The programme focuses on how metropolitan areas can strengthen governance, coordinate policies across levels of government and respond collectively to shared challenges such as climate change, water risks and digital transformation. The Mayoral Panel examines metropolitan governance and policy innovation, while the three roundtables address integrated metropolitan responses to climate-driven water risks, metropolitan approaches to digital and climate transitions, and the role of metropolitan areas in shaping European policies. The Forum also brings together representatives of different metropolitan areas to exchange practices and strengthen cooperation.

Gender perspective

A gender-sensitive perspective is reflected in the Forum’s focus on inclusive and equitable metropolitan development. In particular, the discussion on inclusive climate and digital transitions addresses social inequalities and the need to ensure that metropolitan transitions benefit different groups equitably. The Forum therefore provides a framework for considering how metropolitan policies and transformations can respond to inequalities, including those shaped by gender. Gender equality and inclusion are also considered in the organization and planning of the event, including the composition of speakers, panelists and participants. The Forum promotes inclusive and balanced participation across its discussions, seeking to ensure diverse representation and equal opportunities to contribute to metropolitan dialogue, knowledge exchange and decision-making.

Organizers

• Marmara Municipalities Union (MMU)

• European Metropolitan Authorities (EMA)

• Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB)

Speakers

• Ahmet Akın, President of Marmara Municipalities Union & Mayor of Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality • Jordi Castellana i Gamisans, Vice-President for International Relations and Digital Metropolis, Barcelona Metropolitan Area • Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice President, European Commission • Themis Christophidou, Director-General, DG REGIO, European Commission • Erfan Ali, Director of the Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, UN-Habitat • Nihal Eminoğlu, Professor, Ankara University • Sonia Cambursano, Mayor of Strambino and Councilwoman of Torino Metropolitan Area • Magdalena Czarzyńska-Jachim, Mayor of Sopot • Jacek Jaśkowiak, Mayor of Poznań • Anette Marie Solli, Governing Mayor of Akershus County • Vasilis Latinos, Head of Resilience and Climate Adaptation, ICLEI • Omar Al-Rawi, Member of the City Council of Vienna • Alessandra Innocenti, Delegate Councillor, Metropolitan City of Florence • Pierluigi Sanna, Deputy Metropolitan Mayor, Rome Metropolitan City • Adriana Witkowska, Head of Socio-Economic Development Division, Górnośląsko-Zagłębiowskiej Metropolii • Laura Papaleo, Head of the Europe and Strategic Funding Office, Metropolitan City of Genova • Marco Griguolo, Vice-President of Milan Metropolitan City and President of METREX • Rainer Gessler, Deputy Chairman, Verband Region Stuttgart • Māris Sprindžuks, Deputy Mayor, Riga Carmine Pacente, Rapporteur on Metropolitan Areas, European Committee of the Regions