Covenant of Mayors Ceremony

The 2011 Covenant of Mayors Ceremony – which was preceded by a high-level dialogue with EU institutions - took place on 29 November 2011, in the Hemicycle of the European Parliament, Brussels.

The full programme of this whole-day event is available on the Covenant of Mayors website.

Within and outside the EU, positive news is in short supply

In the present context of social unrest, mounting public deficits, financial market turmoil and energy constraints, concerns about Europe’s future are increasingly making the headlines. EU Member States are divided over strategic decisions regarding the euro-zone stability, budget cuts are omnipresent and do not spare local and regional authorities.

Meanwhile, a wind of change is blowing across Europe…

While Europe’s future is increasingly brought into question, you stand united in a pledge to meet and exceed the EU’s ambitious energy and climate targets, in an effort to create better living conditions for your citizens. Through the Covenant of Mayors, a new paradigm is emerging, based on grassroots democracy, genuine political commitment, action, cooperation and solidarity. You are among the fore-runners of this movement, showing the way out of the crisis.

What more has to be done at all levels of government to accelerate this transition?

With an increasing number of high level speakers – including European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and President of the Committee of the Regions Mercedes Bresso, this ceremony was an opportunity for Mayors to speak out and deliver a strong message in the heart of the European Union.