The 8th European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns, held from 27-29 April 2016 in the Basque Country, takes place at a crucial time - following the UN Summit for the Adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda and the Climate Conference of the Parties (COP 21) in Paris, which resulted in a post-Kyoto framework to address climate change. 

While being called upon to meet global challenges, local and regional governments also face environmental, financial and societal issues in Europe. The conference will reflect the urgency of the challenges and present a way to address them through transformative action.

The three-day conference programme will offer plenty of opportunities for learning and networking by means of plenaries, breakout sessions, panels, a Mayors Session, and Mobile Workshops in the Basque Country counties of Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa and Araba.

The conference provides a great opportunity to explore a country which has transformed itself, having changed its focus on industry to embrace modern service-based economy. Its newly adopted Environmental Programme for 2020 shows a firm commitment to improving the environment and aligns with current European and international strategies on job creation, enhancing standards of living and building a low-carbon economy.

The conference is hosted by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, the Basque Government, Bizkaia County Council and Bilbao City Council, with the involvement of Udalsarea 21 - Basque Network of Municipalities for Sustainability.

For more information, visit basquecountry2016.eu.