UBC General Conference 2025: Baltic Sea Cities Ready to Lead the EU Agenda
Słupsk/Dolina Charlotty, Poland – 4–7 November 2025
On 4–7 November 2025, some 200 representatives from cities across the Baltic Sea Region will convene in the city of Słupsk and Dolina Charlotty for the XVIII UBC General Conference. The topic of this year’s edition is “Reinforcing UBC Member Cities’ Role in EU Policymaking and Participation in EU Funded Projects, which demonstrates the increasing influence of cities on the future of the European Union.
With the preparedness that the EU is facing for its next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2035, cities are using a single voice – as a community. During the conference, UBC will launch a joint policy position calling for direct urban access to EU funds, reduced administrative burdens, and recognition of cities as co-creators of EU policy.
The conference programme features two high-level plenary sessions:
- The Opening Plenary includes speakers such as Magdalena Adamowicz (Member of the European Parliament), Themis Christophidou (Director-General, DC REGIO), Krystyna Danilecka-Wojewódzka (Mayor of Słupsk), Aleksandra Dulkiewicz (Mayor of Gdańsk, European Committee of the Regions), Mantas Jurgutis (UBC President), Dr Gustav Lindström (Director General, CBSS), Dr Henryka Mościcka-Dendys (Undersecretary of State, Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs), André Sobczak (Secretary General of Eurocities), Marcin Skwierawski (Deputy Marshal, Pomorskie Voivodeship, Councillor).
- The second plenary, “EU Funding and Advocacy: The Role of Cities in the MFF 2028–2035,” gathers policy experts like Kieran McCarthy (CoR), Claire Roumet (Energy Cities), and local representatives from Riga, Växjö, and Słupsk.
Moreover, nine interactive workshops will be carried out and will exhibit practical city solutions in such domains as climate-neutral tourism, digital governance, youth leadership, and resilient education systems.
UBC President Mantas Jurgutis commented:
This General Conference is our moment to connect, lead together and provide new ideas for a stronger Union, region and Europe. Since 1991, The UBC is not only a respected partner. It’s a true family of Member Cities working together for a stronger and united Baltic Sea Region. UBC Member Cities and its partners must have a strong role in shaping Europe’s future, especially in the new EU budget”.