(source: SME)
The first major event under the auspices of Slovakia’s presidency of the Council of the EU will be the 7th European Summit of Regions and Cities in Bratislava on July 8-9, to be attended by hundreds of participants from all EU countries.
Among them will be the Slovak European Commission Vice-President for Energy Union, Maroš Šefcovič, European Commission Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investments and Competition, Jyrki Katainen, European Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc and European Commissioner for Regional Development, Corina Cretu.
“This will be an important agenda for cities and people,” Šefčovič told the press on July 7, as quoted by the TASR newswire. “We’ll be talking about how to make our cities ‘smart’ as soon as possible.”
Among the event speakers will be Jeremy Rifkin, the renowned American economist and theorist.
“I’m glad that the invitation was accepted by the distinguished professor, who is known as the author of books dealing with the third industrial revolution,” Šefčovič said, as quoted by TASR. “He’s the author of the shared economy model and offers solutions on how to address complex city agendas in a highly efficient manner.”
The summit will be accompanied by various events where not only the municipalities, but also companies and entrepreneurs will introduce pilot studies and technologies which they want to use within new development opportunities, TASR reported.
Moreover, several events will take place in the Old Market Hall, under the title “Movement. Innovations. Connections”.
“Bratislava has become the capital of Europe,” the city’s Mayor, Ivo Nesrovnal, said, as quoted by the TASR newswire.
The cultural programme includes interactive exhibitions focused on transport and intelligent traffic solutions, the examination of space with the first Slovak satellite and the intelligent use of waste and water. The opening concert of the summit takes place at Devín Castle on July 7.
There will also be two discussions; one will focus on cooperation between Bratislava and Vienna within the Smart Twins platform, while the other will pertain to transport and the innovative solutions Bratislava wants to offer during its presidency over the EU Council, TASR wrote.
Moreover, some local organisations have prepared events that will be held alongside the summit, including the Odvoz a Likvidacia Odpadu (OLO) waste management company presenting intelligent solutions for the disposal of waste, and Bratislava Water Management Company exhibiting photos depicting water supplies to the capital.
