Within the framework of the V Local Economic Development Forum, Carles Llorens from the United Regions Organizations ORU Fogar gave an interview to advance several points that will be developed in the event that arrives in Córdoba with the help of ADEC from May 26 to May 1. June.

Carles Llorens  is general secretary of the United Regions Organizations  ORU Fogar  and will be in charge of developing thematic line 1: “The territory as the basis of innovation and economic, social and environmental reactivation.”

Llorens referred to the importance of having strong local and regional governments, weaknesses and strengths, and the needs that exist for the future.

– What is the importance of the territorial factor in the current pandemic situation?

– Carles Llorens:  We are convinced that those countries that have balanced governance, with an important weight of the local and regional, have better addressed the pandemic and the consequences of the pandemic.

The urban-rural balance with nodes that articulate the territory has also been fundamental . For years – in some cases, decades – centralism and economic dynamics have created countries with large unviable capital cities, at the same time as a territory devoid of infrastructure, economic dynamics and human capital.

The pandemic has made it clear that this dynamic cannot continue.  We need development that balances the entire territory.  To achieve this, it is necessary to have strong local and regional governments that ensure that there are infrastructures and equipment throughout the entire territory. Beyond these considerations, the entire Thematic Area 1 of the Forum will deal with the role of the territory in development policies. We are working to bring best practices in this regard.

– What would be the three main aspects that aggravated the pandemic crisis?

– Carles Llorens:  First of all, the pandemic has highlighted the  weaknesses of our health systems and public health policies . We have seen that, just secondly, there have been  problems related to food security in many geographies . And thirdly, the crisis has aggravated  social and economic problems . 

As secretary general of the United Regions Organizations ORU Fogar, what I can say is that regional governments around the world have dedicated themselves to solving these problems. Where there has been collaboration and understanding with central governments, the results have been good and, considering the situation, in some places, very good.  Regional governments, along with local governments, have done an incredible job serving the most disadvantaged . In many geographies, where the informal economy is key and where teleworking is impossible, those who have faced the problem have been the municipality and the region.

– …and what short or long-term measures could be applied to try to solve them?

– Carles Llorens:  What measures should be taken? In the Forum we will have multiple political, academic and business representatives from all continents. It is the best opportunity to present and listen to proposals. It is a great opportunity to present and learn about good practices.

Thematic line 3, organized by the ILO, will deal with the future of work. We have high expectations for this space. 

I must also point out that at ORU Fogar we have been fighting for the Forum to have a space dedicated to tourism. Never before, in the 4 previous forums, had we dealt with tourism. A mistake insofar as tourism is a resource within the reach of any city, region or territory, because whoever does not have a glacier, has a desert, and whoever does not have monuments and museums, has gastronomy. Tourism is, without a doubt, the sector most affected by the pandemic. It can also be a key sector for recovery. Let’s talk about all this…

We invite you to discuss this and other topics at the V World Forum of the virtual edition that will take place from May 26 to June 1, 2021, with live streaming from Córdoba, Argentina.