Bulawayo mayor invited to ICLEI in Paris France

Bulawayo Mayor Martin Moyo has been invited to attend the Global Executive and Council Meeting in Paris France on December 6 this year.

According to council latest meeting, the Acting Town Clerk Sikhangezile Zhou reported that she received the Mayor's invitation from the Secretary General of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) inviting His Worship, the Mayor to take part in the Global Executive and Council meeting.

"We kindly ask you to confirm your presence at the ICLEI Global Executive Committee and Council meeting which will take place on 6 December, 2015 from 9:30 to 18:00, during the COP21 period in Paris, France," reads part of the invite.

"In addition, we are pleased to update that ICLEI preparations are proceeding well on the Cities and Regions Pavilion - TAP 2015 at COP21. This pavilion will gather all local and regional government authorities, with a full daily program running from 30 November until 11 December, 2015."

Minutes states that further important meetings and events to which you are invited are the following: 30 November to 11 December - Cities and Regions Pavilion - TAP 2015, facilitated by ICLEI, featuring a full program of events every day. A trip on 3 December with the high-speed TGV to the Transformative Actions site of Nord Pas-de-Calais, France, 4 December - The Mayors Summit of Paris City Hall, 5 December - The UNFCCC Action Day, 5-6 December - The ICLEI GexCom meeting (possible joint ICLEI Council meeting) 7-8 December - The UNFCCC Cities and Regions day(s) 8-11 December - The high level segment of COP21 will take place.

"As was previously communicated we recommend booking flights, as a minimum, arriving on the evening of 2 December and departing Paris, at the earliest on 8 December late afternoon/evening, to participate in the most relevant events," reads the minutes.

"Please inform us of your presence, travel details and arrival as soon as possible. In addition please also let us know whether you require assistance with hotel bookings, as ICLEI has made pre-bookings at a hotel at the COP site."

The council was advised not to hesitate to contact the organisation in case of any questions. We look forward to meeting you in Paris.

"The Executive Mayor of Johannesburg had also invited His Worship to the 7th Edition of Africities Summit 2015 scheduled to take place at the Sandton Convention Centre. The summit sought to mobilize African stakeholders to contribute to the visioning exercise championed by the African Union and gather their commitment towards Agenda 2063. This was seen as a rallying point to celebrate a new beginning for the African continent," reads the minutes.

Minutes states that cost of attending the Paris and Johannesburg summits was estimated at $4 880 and $2 070, respectively. Council resolved that the Mayor will be authorised to attend the above mentioned meetings in Paris (ECLEI - 30th November - 11th December, 2015) and Johannesburg (Africities - 29th November to 3rd December, 2015) and Council meets the relevant costs estimated at $4 880 and $2 070 respectively, in the usual manner.