For the first time Kaunas organized XV UBC (Union of Baltic Cities) General Conference which attracted more than 250 high-level politicians, experts and youth representatives. This conference was special because Mantas Jurgutis (Deputy Mayor of Kaunas) was elected as a new President of UBC.

 

“This organization helped me to learn and I will do my best to overcome this challenge as best as I can. I believe that together with the team we will be able to keep traditions and bring new ideas” said Mantas Jurgutis.

Deputy Mayor of Kaunas will lead UBC organization for two years. Previously Mantas Jurgutis was a vice-president. Becoming the representative of Kaunas as a head of this organization confirms the importance of Kaunas and its work in the region.

The General Conference in Kaunas was held for three days and the main topic was “Building an Inclusive and Resident-Focused City”. During the Conference high-level representatives discussed previously mentioned relevant and important topics for the Baltic Sea region.

Among the speakers were Minister of Local Government and Ownership Steering of Finland Ms. Sirpa Paatero and Deputy Director General of the permanent Secretariat of the Council of the Baltic Sea States Mr. Bernd Hemingway.

 

UBC was established in Gdansk, Poland, in 1991 and it is a leading network of cities in the Baltic Sea region. It consists of 100 member cities from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia and Sweden. UBC united common potential in order to make progress, to implement sustainable, smart and safe urban solutions and to improve quality of life.