Amsterdam 2024

EMA's forum brings together representatives of European metropolitan areas and cities to discuss the main challenges of metropolitan governance. The aim is to define the basis for collaboration between European metropolises and their relations with European institutions and national governments.

The ninth edition of the EMA Internacional Meeting was held in Amsterdam in 2024, with ‘Metropolitan Perspectives on Well-being’ as the main theme to be discussed.

The final political declaration acknowledges the growing link between local and metropolitan governments and the European institutions, but still calls for more support and cooperation in some areas, as set in the 10 strategic priorities detailed for the coming years.

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Programme

Forum EMA 2024

  • Wednesday 20 November

    13:00-13:30 Registration and welcome coffee
    City Hall Zaanstad, Stadhuisplein 10, 1506 MZ Zaandam
    Room: Foyer

    13:30-16:30 Site visits

    • Option 1: Circular Economy - Clean2anywhere (Zaanstad): A new circular economy business model for the construction of boats and tiny homes, built from recycled plastics, reused wood, and old clothing.
    • Option 2: Housing and urban development Oosterwold (Almere): A unique, self-organized living experience where residents design their own homes and their urban environment, with a special focus on urban farming and minimal government intervention.
    • Option 3: Social and economic development De Koepel (Haarlem): From a prison to a vibrant hub for education, startups, and events, blending rich history with modern dynamism. Once a place of confinement, now a space for all to thrive. A complete transformation into a beacon of prosperity.

    16:30-17:00 Departure of shuttle buses back to hotels


    17:30-19:15 Political meeting (by invitation only)
    Hosted by Hein van der Loo, Chair MRA-Assembly and Mayor of Almere
    Room: Raadszaal, City Hall Zaanstad

    20:00-22:30 Official dinner
    Hosted by Hein van der Loo, Chair MRA-Assembly and Mayor of Almere and other MRA politicians.

  • Thursday 21 November

    Morning plenary session

     

    8:30-9:15 Delegations arrival and registration
    Welcome coffee
    Room: Foyer, City Hall Zaanstad

    9:30-9:40 Welcome and setting the scene
    Moderator: Carolien Gehrels, European Cities Director at Arcadis
    Room: Raadszaal, City Hall Zaanstad

    9:40 -10:10 Opening and official address from EMA and the MRA

    • Femke Halsema, Chair MRA-Board, Metropolitan Region Amsterdam (MRA)
    • Jan Hamming, Mayor of Zaanstad
    • Elisenda Alamany, Vice-president for International Relations and Digital Metropolis, Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB)

    Room: Raadszaal, City Hall Zaanstad

    10:10-10:30 Official address from the EU institutions

    • Nicola de Michelis, Acting Deputy Director-General for Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission

    Room: Raadszaal, City Hall Zaanstad

    10:30-11:00 Keynote speech: Guiding compass in implementing “broad prosperity”

    • Henri de Groot, Professor in Regional Economic Dynamics at the ‘Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam’, and crown-appointed member of the Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands (SER).

    Room: Raadszaal, City Hall Zaanstad

    11:00-11:30 Coffee break
    Room: Foyer City Hall Zaanstad

    11:00-12:00 Panel discussion: Metropolitan perspectives on well-being

    Moderated interview by Carolien Gehrels.

    • Syamak Agha Babaei, Vice president and Deputy Mayor of Metropole Strasbourg
    • Elisenda Alamany, Vice president, Barcelona Metropolitan Area
    • Henri de Groot,  Professor in Regional Economic Dynamics at the ‘Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam’
    • Nicola de Michelis, Acting Deputy Director-General for Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission
    • Jos Wienen, Board member MRA and Mayor of Haarlem

    Room: Raadsaal, City Hall Zaanstad

    12:00-12:15 Signing ceremony of the EMA-Declaration

    • Introduction by Hein van der Loo, Chair of MRA-Assembly and Mayor of Almere

    Room: Raadszaal, City Hall Zaanstad

    12:15-12:30 Family picture
    Family picture at Stadhuisplein Square (on the way to Inntel hotels)

    12:30-14:30 Lunch
    Room: Inntel Hotels (in front of the City Hall)

     

    Afternoon sessions

     

    14:30-16:00 Interactive roundtables
    With the participation of the Mayors, Presidents and political representatives:

    Round Table 1 - Economy: How can we collaborate in (multilevel) coalitions to build a future-proof economy.

    Moderation by Jessica Peters-Hondelink, Executive Director, Amsterdam Economic Board, with:

    • Elisenda Alamany, Vice president, Barcelona Metropolitan Area
    • Ernesto Nebot Pomar, EU-Councillor for Region Hanover and member of Regional Assembly and deputy mayor of city of Laatzen
    • Lukasz Sek, Deputy Mayor of the City of Krakow and Vice president of Krakow Metropolitan Area
    • Tuija Telén, Regional Mayor Helsinki-Uusimaa Region
    • Brigitte van den Berg, Member of European Parliament

    Round table 2 - Society: How can we secure livelihoods and ensure more people work in suitable jobs under decent conditions?

    Moderation by Henri de Groot, Professor in Regional Economic Dynamics at the ‘Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam’, and crown-appointed member of the Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands (SER).

    • Leendert de Lange, Board member Rotterdam-The Hague Metropolitan Region and Mayor of Wassenaar
    • Jan Hamming, Mayor of Zaanstad
    • Jakub Mazur,  Deputy Mayor of Wroclaw, President of METREX and Board Member of ICLEI
    • Jorge Sequeira, Vice President Porto Metropolitan Area and  Mayor of São João da Madeira
    • Thijs Reuten,  Member of European Parliament

    Room: Inntel Hotels

    Roundtable 3 - Healthy Environment: How can we better promote and implement circularity for resilient energy and infrastructure?

    Moderation by Hugo d'Assenza-David, PhD researcher at Sciences Po Paris

    • ???????Syamak Agha Babaei, Vice president and Deputy Mayor of Metropole Strasbourg
    • Sonia Cambursano, Council woman of Metropolitan city of Torino
    • Hugo M. Luis, Vice president Lisbon Metropolitan Area and Deputy Mayor of Mafra
    • Pierluigi Sanna, Deputy Metropolitan Mayor of Rome
    • Robert van Asten, Deputy Mayor the Hague
    • Marcos Ros, Member of European Parliament

    Room: City Hall, Raadszaal

    16:30-16:30 Coffee break
    Room: Foyer, City Hall Zaanstad

    16:30-17:15 Wrap up from the interactive roundtables
    Moderators will wrap up the main conclusions of the roundtables
    Drawing of the sessions made by an artist
    Room: Raadszaal, City Hall Zaanstad

    17:15-17:30 Closure
    Jan Hamming, Mayor of Zaanstad
    Room: Raadszaal,City Hall Zaanstad

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