Ville de Grande-Synthe: The newest signatory to the Durban Commitment

Ville de Grande-Synthe has become the latest signatory to the Durban Commitment. Mayor Damien Carême signed the prestigious commitment in a ceremony held during the 2es Assises Nationales de la Biodiversité, which was hosted by the first French Capital of Biodiversity, Ville de Grande-Synthe from the 26th to 28th September 2012.

Ville de Grande-Synthe joins more than 45 other local authorities from around the world to sign this international accord, written by the 21 original Local Action for Biodiversity (LAB) Pioneer cities: an accord written by local governments for local governments.

By signing the Durban Commitment Ville de Grande-Synthe acknowledges accountability and responsibility for the health and well-being of its community through protecting, sustainably utilizing and managing its biodiversity and recognizing the role of biodiversity as the foundation of our existence.

At the ceremony Mayor Carême reiterated Ville de Grande-Synthe’s commitment to the management of biodiversity. Mayor Carême said that despite the industrial legacies of the past, Grande-Synthe remains committed to the innovative and continuous improvement of biodiversity management.

The 2es Assises Nationales de la Biodiversité attracted over 800 participants and 100 speakers, with special guest Mr. Pierre Rabhi, an honored French writer, farmer and environmentalist. The successful attendance of the conference was a testament to the considerable interest of French cities and their citizens to sustainable urban biodiversity management.

ICLEI Brussels Representative, Peter Defranceschi welcomed Grande-Synthe as the latest signatory to this important accord for urban biodiversity.