Representation of interests of the region on the example of the Union of the Baltic Cities

Robert Radek

University of Silesia in Katowice
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1674-6600

Abstract

Representation of interests of the region in international forums is an extremely important element in supporting and accelerating the development of local and regional communities. The cooperation of various entities, including cities and other territorial structures, contributes to overcoming the weaknesses of the various regions and the use of existing opportunities. Some regional and cross-border structures can cope fairly well and work out an effective model for the representation of common interests, while others have big problems. The main goal of the proposed analysis is to verify the thesis that the UBC (Union of the Baltic Cities, UBC) can effectively promote the interests of the Baltic region and contributes to overcoming the weaknesses of the region and using existing opportunities, through various joint actions. It is worth remembering that the UBC is an active cooperation network of over 100 member cities and was founded in order to develop cooperation and exchange of experiences between the member cities. The fundamental UBC goal is to strive for democratic, economic, social, cultural and environmental development of the Baltic Sea region. The UBC has been brought to life at the Founding Conference, held in Gdansk on 19-20 September 1991, during which representatives of 32 cities signed the Declaration expressing a wish to create an organization of Baltic cities. Long-term cooperation of this cross-border operating structure is, therefore, an excellent opportunity to try the assessment of its achievements.

Keywords:

region, interest, cross-border cooperation, Union of the Baltic Cities, periphery