Inter-Regional Advisor Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Central Asia, United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)
Perspectives from Georgia, Moldova, Serbia and Ukraine
How can EU accession provide a framework to promote sustainable urban development represented countries, including access to funding? The importance of empowering local governments and fostering integrated approaches to urban planning are highlighted. The need for a just and inclusive transition to low-carbon cities are addressed. Topics:
- Role of Urban policy in the EU accession process, expectations and instruments
- Interregional mechanisms of cooperation between cities
- Integrated urban development, decentralization, citizen-state relations and democracy
- Strengthening cities to effectively mobilize finance
Panel Discussion
- Brief introduction of the topic and objectives by moderator (3 min)
- Key note speech (5 min)
- Country dialogue (20 min):
- Moldova
- Georgia
- Serbia
- Ukraine
- Q&A Session (10-12 min)
- Summary of key insights and takeaways by moderator (5 min)
Moderation:
Carmen Vogt
Carmen Vogt, Head of the Section Cities (GloBe, GIZ) 
Ms. Vogt leads the Global Section “Cities” at GIZ, with over 25 years in International Development and Policy Advice on Urban Development, Decentralization, and Climate Risk Management in Latin America, Europe, and Asia. She has contributed to Agenda 2030 and the New Urban Agenda, working with various sectors.
Keynote speaker:
Katja Schaefer
Katja Schaefer, Inter-Regional Advisor Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Central Asia, United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) 
Ms. Schäfer is an Urban Development Practitioner with over 20 years of experience advising and leading innovative initiatives on poverty, spatial inequality, housing, and disaster recovery globally. As an Inter-regional Advisor for UN-Habitat, she supports Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Panelists:
Ioane Menabdev
Ioane Menabdev, Head of the Spatial and Urban Development Agency of Georgia 
Mr. Menabde leads the Georgia’s Spatial and Urban Development Agency. He has extensive experience in urban planning and property development with organizations like Colliers International and TBC Bank. He strives to enhance urban livability and resilience through thoughtful planning and development.
Maria Prisacari
Maria Prisacari, Director, North Regional Development Agency, Republic of Moldova 
Mrs. Prisacari has an experience over a decade in regional development and has been involved in the field of urban development and revitalization since 2017, when the approach of urban revitalization was piloted as a tool of urban development policy in the Republic of Moldova.
Siniša Trkulja
Siniša Trkulja, PhD in spatial planning, Agency for Spatial and Urban Planning of the Republic of Serbia 
Mr. Trkulija is a Spatial planner in the Agency for Spatial and Urban Planning and coordinator for the national urban policy of the Republic of Serbia. He has experience in international cooperation in the field of spatial planning, implementation of urban policy and use of geoinformation technologies.
Nazar Kovalenko
Nazar Kovalenko, Director of municipal enterprise «Spatial development agency» of Vinnytsia city Council 
Mr. Kovalenko is a leading urban planner of Vinnytsia city council. He was a key expert in elaboration of Integrated urban development concept 2030 and other strategic documents in Vinnytsia. His main areas are spatial urban planning, sustainable urban mobility, housing policy, climate policy etc.