The process of the World Forum on Local Economic Development (LED) continues to involve more committed partners and moves towards celebrating its fifth edition.

On April 10, the city of Córdoba, Argentina, represented by the Mayor, Mr. Ramón J. Mestre, officially announced its intention to host the 5th edition of the biennial event. The candidacy was celebrated with the signing of a letter of commitment by Mr. Mestre and Mr. Johannes Krassnitzer, International Coordinator of the UNDP ART Initiative, representing the Executive Committee of the World LED Forum.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Sebastián Parra and Ricardo Occhipinti, representing the Economic Development Agency of the City of Córdoba (ADEC), Mr. Marcelo Cossar, representing the Secretary of Modernization, Communication and Strategic Development , Mrs. Laura Massari, the Director of Strategic Development of the Municipality of Córdoba and Mr. Santiago Gallo, International Consultant.

On the occasion, the parties established that if the candidacy was officially accepted by the Executive Committee of the Forum, the real efforts to begin the organization of the next edition of the Forum must begin immediately in June 2018. This consists of the definition of the strategy to advance the administrative, operational and technical aspects and includes the establishment of a Permanent Secretariat of the Forum.

The local organization of the event would be in charge of ADEC, in coordination with the Córdoba City Council. It would also seek the participation and active participation of the different levels of government, such as the Provincial Government of Córdoba and the National Government of Argentina, as well as local institutions, the private sector, academia and civil society.

The candidature will be presented to all members of the Executive Committee of the LED World Forum next month during an official meeting to be held in Seville, Spain.