International Kick-Off meeting for the Local and Regional Authorities’ political process

The 30^th and 31^st of May 2011, Greater Lyon and the Rhone-Mediterranean and Corsica Water Agency will host the International Kick-Off meeting of the 6^th World Water Forum Local and Regional Authorities’ political process.

The main objective of this process is to mobilize local and regional authorities in order to act together and to discuss ways to strengthen their role in water and sanitation governance and to strengthen their voice in the global political debate on water.

With this in mind, this International Kick-Off meeting, organised in partnership with associations of Local Authorities (UCLG, ICLEI, AIMF…) will address, among other things, the following issues:

- The promotion and implementation of the Istanbul Water Consensus adopted by Regional and Local Authorities during the 5^th World Water Forum in 2009
- The definition and implementation of concrete targets and solutions
- The facilitation of partnerships and international cooperation actions between regional and local authorities
- The strengthening of the role of Champion Regions/Cities from the Istanbul Water Consensus
- The linkages between the Local Authorities’ process and the other preparatory processes for the World Water Forum

Through plenary sessions and parallel workshops, especially showcasing concrete cases, participants will brainstorm about objectives, solutions and commitments to be undertaken for the 6^th World Water Forum, and this, in partnership with national and international associations of Local Authorities