The Union of the Baltic Cities is a voluntary, proactive network mobilizing the shared potential of the cities for mutual interests. One of the main goals of the UBC, indicated in the Statute as well as in the new Strategy adopted in 2003, is that the UBC shall be a spokesman for its members in Baltic Sea Region (BSR) issues and promote the Region in Europe and in the World.

The UBC is a highly decentralized network of cities and provides numerous platforms for meetings between politicians, officials and specialists from cities of all sizes from all countries. The highest level of the UBC is the bi-annual General Conference, which is an important occasion for city leaders to meet and discuss. Between the General Conferences, the political work is carried out by the Executive Board, consisting of one city from each BSR country. The Board convenes about three times each year. The UBC President and the UBC Presidium, with three vice-presidents, are the executive organs of UBC. The UBC structure is co-ordinated by the UBC Secretariat. The Secretariat is led by the UBC Secretary General.

Most of the practical co-operation between the members is carried out by 11 UBC Commissions:

The commissions work very differently and independently. The main link between them is the UBC Cities network itself. They initiate and implement numerous projects in their respective fields ranging from music festivals and sports events to concrete projects and training seminars.

100 member cities from ten countries; a full list of members is available on the UBC website.

The UBC is a de-centralized network; the day-to-day work and the administration is coordinated by the secretariat, located in Gdansk, Poland.

The aim of the UBC is to actively contribute to the democratic, social, economic and environmentally friendly development of the Baltic Sea area.

Numerous projects, for example:

One of the main strategic aims of the UBC is to transform the political, economic and financial potential that is connected with EU enlargement into reality. Tha UBC expresses opinions and statements on the EU policies concerning the Baltic Sea Region and, if possible, takes part in decision-making processes on the policies and programmes which affect the region and local authorities in particular. An example of these activities is the joint statement on future European Cohesion Policy, namely on the proposal for a European Territorial Cooperation. The Union of the Baltic Cities opposes the proposed border of 150 kilometres for “cross border cooperation” within the Programme for “European Territorial Cooperation” as this restriction means for the BSR that it will not be possible to cooperate across the Baltic Sea within the municipal responsibility fields. Furthermore, the UBC (Commission on Environment and Agenda 21 Secretariat) has actively contributed to the consultations on European policy-design on sustainable urban development.

The Union of the Baltic Cities Secretariat
Waly Jagiellonskie 1
80-853 Gdansk
Poland
Phone: +48 58 3010917
info@ubc.net

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