Commissioner Ferreira participates in online launch of the joint European Commission and #OECD 'Cities in the World' Report

On 16 June, Cohesion and Reforms Commissioner Elisa Ferreira (pictured) participated in an online event jointly organised by the European Commission and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to launch the report Cities in the World: A New Perspective on Urbanization.

She opened the event with the Secretary-General of the OECD, Angel Gurría. It was an opportunity for both institutions to release the Cities in the World- report, showing that city residents worldwide record a higher life satisfaction than people in towns and semi-dense areas or rural areas. This is due to higher incomes, greater employment opportunities, access to services, modern technology and education. However, city residents are more exposed to challenges such as air pollution, certain health problems and crimes. Cities are also more exposed to floods and storm surges, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change.

Ahead of the publication, Commissioner Ferreira said: “This report shows what issues need to be tackled in cities, in towns and in rural areas to make sure we leave no one behind. It shows the importance of regionally and locally targeted policies, as every type of territory has its own challenges. We need to continue to invest in all these different types of territories and the connections between them so that citizens achieve a high standard of living, no matter where they live.”

The Commission's proposal for a long-term budget including Next Generation EU will tackle challenges faced by cities, towns and rural areas through a just transition to a carbon-neutral economy. Commissioner Ferreira's keynote speech is published here.

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