The baseline study for the solid waste management system project has been commissioned as part of the Kochi-Vilnius strategic collaboration under the European Union International Urban Cooperation (IUC)-India program. The study represents the key deliverable of the Urban Cooperation Local Action Plan for the city of Kochi. The report has been based on secondary research, stakeholder consultations, case studies and review of recommendations.

Aarhus and Udaipur have been working together under the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Strategic Sector Cooperation since 2018 on the broader themes of urban water management. Aarhus and Udaipur entered into a MoU in December 2016. Udaipur and Aarhus joined European Union’s International urban cooperation program on June 4th, 2019 and December 18th, 2019 respectively. Since then, IUC is working with both the cities to further strengthen this already formed partnership and work on sludge to energy technologies.

Seoul (South Korea) engages with and leads networks of international peers committed to climate action. The city uses thorough emissions inventories to ensure its own success, and to inspire action in cities across the world.

Kyoto (Japan) is committed to climate change mitigation and adaptation. The city works with diverse groups within the municipality, region, and as a part of the larger international community – including as a signatory to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM) – to meet its climate action targets. Kyoto looks at climate action holistically: it must address a wide variety of sectors, engage diverse local voices, and utilise interventions that are environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.

Alba Iulia (Romania) and Benedito Novo (Brazil) have much in common, including commitments to working to localise the SDGs. Through the IUC programme, the cities have exchanged knowledge to learn from each other’s main strengths across fields such as smart solutions, culture and tourism.

Throughout its long history of taking climate action, the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has continually cooperated with global community of experts and likeminded local governments for support, knowledge, and to learn about new solutions that can be successfully adapted to their local context.

The Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur (France) and City of Haikou (China) have been cooperating since July 2018, working together in the areas including tourism, e-health, and smart monitoring in urban areas. The pairing is also developing an innovative academic collaboration, and establishing partnerships in the fields of athletics and culture.

Cantabria and Chihuahua have come together to exchange on diverse issues such as biomedicine, agriculture, and tourism. Chihuahua is particularly interested in learning from Cantabria’s experience of developing a region-wide innovation strategy.

Greater Kansas City (USA) is one of the first North American regional members of the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM). As the region spans many political boundaries, its focus is on using strong, genuine collaboration, which brings together diverse stakeholders and leaders to build regional climate plans and achieve sustainability and emission reductions.

The region of Iskandar Malaysia joined the Global Covenant of Mayors on 29 November 2017. The region has developed and secured widespread individual and public sector support for a robust Low Carbon Society Blueprint and locally tailored Action Plans to guide them to ambitious emission reductions.