ISTANBUL - Marmara Urban Forum will be held for the first time in Istanbul, Turkey on 1-3 October 2019 hosting more than 200 speakers from 25 countries and 3000 participants including 100 mayors, and the urban matters to be discussed include but are not limited to urban technologies, innovation, public space, immigration, climate change.

On 3 July 2019, the second edition of the Think Tank Forum was held in Poznań. This format of experts’ meetings from the Western Balkans and the EU was initiated during the Polish presidency in the Berlin process. NALAS executive director, Kelmend Zajazi participated at the "Growing together" panel, by stressing the role of local governments and the need to include them in the process of integration and revitalization of public services at the local level.

The 5th EU Enlargement Day organized by the European Committee of Regions took place on 18-19 June, 2019 in Brussels, Belgium.Mr. Shilegov, in his function as Mayor of Skopje and President of NALAS and ZELS, initiated his key note address referring to the development process in Poland during and after the accession process. The Polish experience was characterized as a role model for the WB6 worth be emulated and learned from due to its motivating success to improve governance and boosting socio-economic development by actively involving the local government level. Mr. Shilegov also shared with the participants a number of NALAS recommendations that can help facilitate improved governance via EU funding leading to local socio-economic development in the region.

NALAS contributions in the The Forum of Cities and Regions “Investing in Western Balkans - Investing in Europe” Local Governments session of 6 June,2019 focused on sharing findings of two regional NALAS surveys and active participation in the panel discussion dedicated to the topic of quality public services. Involving Local Government Associations at regional and national level as strategic dialogue partners was a recommendation voiced to all participants, who take sustainable and inclusive development seriously.

The Forum of Cities and Regions “Investing in Western Balkans - Investing in Europe”, organized by the Polish Ministry of Investment and Economic Development, in the framework of the Polish Presidency in the Berlin Process is taking place from 4-6 June in Rzeszow, Poland. The Forum is co-hosted by NALAS, The Association of Polish Cities and the Union of Provinces of Poland. The Forum will be a meeting of cities from the Western Balkans and partners participating in the Berlin Process providing the opportunity for an exchange with the European Commission, the Regional Cooperation Council and the Committee of the Regions to discuss the support on the Western Balkans in the process of European Integration and economic transformation.

A business process re-engineering in Solid Waste Management that will contribute to more efficient performance of the municipal public utilities on waste management has been introduced in 10 municipalities in four countries of the Western Balkans.The outputs of the piloting and harmonization of the methodologies for introduction of each of the process in SWM were discussed at the project partner’s meeting held in Belgrade on 28 and 29 May 2019.

The Danube Water Conference is the Danube Water Program’s flagship event, taking place in Vienna every May since 2013. This year’s conference focused on “Achieving resilience in water and wastewater utilities in the Danube region” brought together over 200 people coming from more than 25 countries representing all stakeholders of the water sector to discuss the way forward towards smart policies, strong utilities and sustainable services.

On 11 and 12 April, the City to City Dialogue Conference: “Cities as Drivers of Economic Growth – Vision 2030” took place in Skopje and Veles, Republic of North Macedonia. The conference explored the role of cities and municipalities in the economic development agenda, how it can be enhanced for the benefit of the citizens of South-East Europe and what are the best practices that cities can learn from.

On April 12th, 2019 EU-Commissioner for European Neighbourhood & Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn delivered a video message during the City to City Dialogue Conference - Cities as Drivers of Economic Growth - Vision 2030. The Commissioner stated that "strengthening of the cities for the Regional Economic Area is vital to stop brain drain and turn it into brain circulation". Watch the full video message below.

On April 11, 2019, the 14th NALAS General Assembly took place in the City of Skopje, while bringing together over 70 Mayors, municipal experts and local government associations from the 12 member countries from the SEE Region.