In order to fight against COVID-19 and to facilitate the dissemination of correct information, the National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia joined CEMR COVID-19 Task Force. Ms. Natya Ghvinashvili, deputy executive director of NALAG coordinates the team.

CEMR proposes to facilitate the exchange of information, knowledge, and best practices from associations, local and regional governments, and information about initiatives of the European institutions. CEMR COVID-19 Task Force will work on assessing the impact of COVID-19 on local and regional governments, gather ideas on what is necessary to tackle the problems, including the economic recovery.

At the CEMR Secretariat, a cross-departmental group has been set up with colleagues coordinating the input from the different teams; the group is coordinated by Angelika Poth-Mögele, Executive Director European Affairs.

CEMR has dedicated a part of its website to COVID and will continue to cover the issue by means of articles, interviews, press releases, and op-eds.

“In this particular time, at CEMR, we are committed to serve our members in the best way possible by giving you information, exchange experience, and ensure that Europe remains a space where solidarity is at the service of its people and territories during and after the crisis. This will be the basis of our advocacy work at European level“- stated Secretary General of CEMR in his circular letter.

The National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia has been a member of CEMR since 2010 and is actively involved in discussing various topics.

The Georgian delegation is composed of representatives from Tbilisi City Assembly and Lagodekhi, Mtskheta, Kutaisi, Batumi, and Khashuri city councils.

It is noteworthy that, Ms. Tamar Taliashvili, the vice-president of the National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia (NALAG) and the vice-president of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe was elected as a Vice-president of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) from the Black Sea Region.

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is the oldest and broadest European association of local and regional governments. It is the only organization that brings together the national associations of local and regional governments from 41 European countries.

CEMR is also the European section of the world organization United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG).