From 15 to 17 October, the Minister for Smart Administration and Regional Development Inga Bērziņa will participate in the 47th session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. One of the topical issues of the session is the implementation of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in Latvia, Iceland and Malta. A meeting with Marc Cools, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, is also planned.
In her address to the Congress, Minister Inga Bērziņa highlighted the successful implementation of the administrative-territorial reform in Latvia, which has increased the capacity of local governments, provided more equal opportunities in different local governments, and introduced new instruments to promote citizens participation at local level - citizens councils, participatory budgeting and local referendums.
The speech also highlighted recent progress around municipal finances, with an increase in the distribution ratio of personal income tax revenues in favour of municipalities, an increase in the borrowing limits of municipalities to implement priority investment projects.
The Minister also acknowledged that there are challenges, such as the increased distance to the administrative centres of municipalities for some citizens and the reorganisation of the executive bodies of municipalities.
Congress discussions will also focus on strengthening local and regional democracy, protecting human rights and social care issues arising from Europe's ageing population. The Congress will also discuss further measures to mitigate the impact of climate change on local communities, and the election of the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities.