"It is essential to combat growing inequalities not only between population groups but also between territories in order to prevent the emergence of 'orphaned areas' that are isolated and do not receive public services," stressed Congress President Marc Cools at the 2025 OECD Ministerial Meeting on Regional Development Policy, in Warsaw on 20 May.
Addressing the session on 'Improving multi-level governance to support investment and regional development', the Congress President emphasised that a multi-level governance approach was needed to foster economic development. "The economy must be seen as a whole, and policy measures at different levels of government, including at the local and regional level, need to form a complementary unity," he said, adding that it was at territorial level where policies can often be implemented most effectively.
President Cools highlighted extensive work done the Council of Europe and its Congress to address differences in development between territories and offer solutions to ensure sustainable regional development. In particular, the Council of Europe's Landscape Convention, which has been ratified by all 46 member states, was an important instrument in this context, as were the Congress recommendations on territorial solidarity, a better future for rural areas, and intra-regional transport.
The 2025 OECD Ministerial Meeting on Regional Policy brought together Ministers and senior representatives from the 38 OECD countries and beyond. It provided a platform for discussions on current and future challenges in regional development and was held under the theme 'Strengthening Regional Policy for Resilient Places'.
