22 February 2021, Chișinău - Interim prime minister Aureliu Ciocoi participated in a videoconference format in the regional event entitled "Urban change - transformation and the factors fuelling it" as part of the Istanbul Innovation Days organized by the United Nations Development Programme.

The Chief Executive spoke about sustainable urban development and transformation through increasing the capacity of the local economy, additional support for the creation of growth poles across the country, increasing the capacity of communities to have livelihoods and create new decent jobs, developing public services and upgrading local infrastructure.

During the high-level panel, UNDP administrator Achim Steiner highlighted that cities continue to be the lens through which society looks at the future, where new things start and innovative ideas intersect. This natural dynamism requires support for the urban economy, sustainability, digitalization for effective equity.

Aureliu Ciocoi also mentioned that the Government of the Republic of Moldova, with the financial support of the European Union and UNDP, is implementing a regional programme to support the municipalities of Cahul and Ungheni to become positive examples of socio-economic growth and the subsequent extension of this experience on a national scale.

Another relevant example of the authorities' involvement concerns the development of local infrastructure and the establishment of multifunctional industrial platforms in 16 districts, which aim to support the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, test new and cleaner production technologies, create decent jobs and promote exports.

Video footage from the regional event, including prime - minister Aureliu Ciocoi's speech, can be accessed on UNDP Eurasia's YouTube channel.