India’s River Cities Alliance Goes Global as NMCG forges alliance with MRCTI, USA at the ongoing COP28 in Dubai

The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) on behalf of River Cities Alliance (RCA), has signed a Memorandum of Common Purpose (MoCP) with the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative (MRCTI), representing 124 cities/towns situated along the banks of the Mississippi River, USA. The signing ceremony took place at the Rotary Hall as part of the ongoing COP28 or the United Nations Climate Change Conference, currently underway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The MoCP was signed by Shri G. Asok Kumar, DG, NMCG and by Mayor Mitch Reynolds of La Crosse (Wisconsin), Mayor Errick Simmons of Greenville (Mississippi), Mayor LaToya Cantrell of New Orleans (Louisiana), and Mr Colin Wellemkamp (Executive Director, MRCTI) on behalf of USA’s MRCTI, in the presence of senior officials from US State Department, UNEP, National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and Rotary International.

This significant agreement positions NMCG a step closer to the imminent launch of the Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA), as the current River Cities Alliance (RCA) has now expanded its strength to the membership of 267 global river-cities including India, USA and Denmark. The official launch of GRCA is scheduled for December 10, 2023, with expectations of additional global river cities joining the global alliance.

The MoCP seeks to establish an efficient framework for collaboration between the River Cities Alliance (RCA) and MRCTI. It focuses on capacity building and knowledge exchange in integrated river management to address climate change impacts on the ecosystem. The collaboration includes a comprehensive water monitoring program, sharing best practices for renaturing urban areas, and restoring aquatic ecosystems for sustainable urban development. Initiatives extend to restoring urban forests and lakes connected to rivers, emphasizing the importance of green spaces. The proposed collaboration emphasizes collective action for safeguarding environmental flows and acknowledges the role of floods in maintaining river ecosystem health, showcasing a commitment to proactive environmental stewardship and innovative solutions for sustainable river management.

After the signing, Director General G. Asok Kumar of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) held a bilateral meeting with Mayors, representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and officials from the United States Department of State at the WWF Pavilion Office. During this meeting, both parties engaged in substantive discussions, exploring tangible avenues for ongoing collaboration. Emphasis was placed on facilitating robust knowledge exchange between the National Mission for Clean Ganga including RCA and the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative (MRCTI), underscoring a commitment to enduring cooperation and the exchange of expertise between the two networks.

Disclaimer: This is an official press release by Pib.