World Cities is a project of the European Union managed by the Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) of the European Commission. It originates in a Preparatory Action of the European Parliament. DG REGIO coordinates the European regional policy, an investment action line of the EU that supports job creation, competitiveness, economic growth, improved quality of life and sustainable development. These investments support the delivery of the Europe 2020 strategy.
Partners of DG REGIO are national, regional or local authorities in the EU and in the non-EU Countries.
Partners
- Activities with South Africa will be implemented within the EU-South Africa Strategic Partnership in coordination with the Delegation of the European Union to South Africa.
- Activities with Vietnam will be implemented within the EU-Vietnam Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) in coordination with the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam.
- Activities with Indonesia will be implemented within the EU-Indonesia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) in coordination with the Delegation of the European Union to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam.
- Activities with Australia will be implemented within the EU-Australia Partnership Framework in coordination with the Delegation of the European Union to Australia.
- Activities with South Korea will be implemented within the EU-South Korea Strategic Partnership in coordination with the Delegation of the European Union to South Korea.
Former activities (CETREGIO 2011-2014 and World Cities I – 2015-2016)
China
Activities with China were implemented within the CETREGIO programme, in coordination with the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). CETREGIO is part of the EU-China Regional Policy Dialogue. The Chinese NDRC formulates the Five-Year-Plans of national economic and social development across the whole country. Among other functions, NDRC formulates macroeconomic policies, monitors key construction projects and guides the economic restructuring of China. NDRC has several departments and is represented across China at provincial and local level. Cooperation within the World Cities (formerly CETREGIO) programme is coordinated through the Department of Regional Economy of NDRC.
India
Activities with India were implemented within the EU-India Strategic Partnership in coordination with the Delegation of the European Union to India.
Japan
Activities with Japan were implemented within the EU-Japan Urban Policy Dialogue in coordination with the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism.
Canada
Activities with Canada were implemented within the EU-Canada Urban Policy Dialogue with 4 Canadian cities in coordination with the EU Delegation to Canada