As market data collected under the AIFMD, MiFID and EMIR mandates and others are becoming available, ESMA is – in close cooperation with the National Competent Authorities – completing the necessary technical infrastructure for their processing, programming routines for their management, and making them available for the relevant analytical evaluation.

ESMA will further enhance its risk monitoring capacities, generating market descriptive statistics as well as sophisticated risk indicators and metrics on the basis of new proprietary data. Most importantly for 2018, ESMA is planning to complement its ongoing market monitoring through our semi-annual Report on Trends, Risks and Vulnerabilities and our quarterly Risk Dashboards by launching an annual report series on EU derivatives markets, based on EMIR data, as well as an annual report series on EU alternative investment funds, drawing on AIFMD data.

In addition, ESMA will continue to pursue in-depth analyses around key topics, including market and fund liquidity, fund leverage, and the impact of innovation especially in the areas of market infrastructures and investment advice.

The 2018 Risk Assessment Work Programme complements ESMA’s other activity reporting documents, most importantly the Single Programming Document, the Regulatory Work Programme, the Supervisory Work Programme and the Supervisory Convergence Work Programme.

Significant progress has been achieved under the three commitments since they were presented at the UN Habitat III conference in October 2016, in order to harness the power of rapid urbanisation. City-to-city cooperation is now flourishing across continents, important steps have been taken towards a single definition of cities at global level and the EU is showing the world the way to sustainable urban development with the ongoing implementation of its Urban Agenda for the EU.

Speaking from the World Urban Forum in Malaysia, Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Creţu said: “Much like the fight against climate change, the EU is ready to lead the way for clean, safe and prosperous cities around the globe. Europe and its partners are delivering fast on these three concrete commitments, which contribute to shaping the cities of tomorrow.”

The three commitmentscontribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement. They are part of the New Urban Agenda, also presented 15 months ago. Each of these commitments has a specific scope, expected achievements and deliverables. This is what has been achieved since end 2016:

Commitment to deliver the New Urban Agenda through the Urban Agenda for the EU

3 action plans out of 12 have already been drawn up under the Urban Agenda for the EU, on urban poverty, the integration of migrants and air quality. They include policy recommendations, good practices and projects to be replicated across the EU and in the world. All the action plans are expected to be completed by end 2018.

Beyond the thematic action plans, the very methodology of the Urban Agenda for the EU can inspire reforms in the way cities are governed across the globe; it puts an on an equal footing cities, businesses, NGOs and representatives from Member States and EU Institutions, for an integrated and balanced approach to sustainable urban development.

Commitment to develop a global, harmonised definition of cities

To facilitate monitoring, benchmarking and eventually policy-making, it is important that the same definition of cities is used globally. The EU has been working on such a definition, which will be presented to the UN in March 2019, in partnership with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the World Bank.

So far, the Commission has gathered estimates of the level of urbanisation of each country in the world and provided free access to this data to facilitate the comparison with national definitions. At the occasion of the World Urban Forum, the Commission, via its Joint Research Centre, is publishing the global city centres database; it contains data for all 10,000 urban centres scattered across the globe. It is the largest and most comprehensive data on cities ever published.

A survey is currently being carried out in 20 countries to gather feedback on the global definition. Pilot projects are ongoing in 12 countries to compare the global definition with the national ones and assess the differences. In the course of 2018, the Commission and its partners will work on a free online tool to help countries test this definition on their territories.

Commitment to enhance cooperation between cities in the field of sustainable urban development[1]

The EU’s International Urban Cooperation (IUC) was launched in 2016 to support this commitment and develop city-to-city cooperation around the globe.

There are currently 35 pairings under the programme, involving 70 cities (35 EU and 35 non-EU). They include Frankfurt (Germany) and Yokahama (Japan); Bologna (Italy) and Austin (USA) and Almada (Portugal) and Belo Horizonte (Brazil). All partnerships are working on local action plans on joint urban priorities, such as access to water, transport or health, sharing knowledge and best practices to reach their common goals.

A new call was launched at the World Urban Forum to create at least 25 new pairings; cities can apply online until 9 March. 

More information:

World Urban Forum

Habitat III Conference 

EU Urban Policy

The Joint Research Centre’s Urban Data Platform

The Joint Research Centre’s Territorial Dashboard

[1] The scope of the commitment covers cities in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Canada, China, India, Japan, the United States and the European Union.

As market data collected under the AIFMD, MiFID and EMIR mandates and others are becoming available, ESMA is – in close cooperation with the National Competent Authorities – completing the necessary technical infrastructure for their processing, programming routines for their management, and making them available for the relevant analytical evaluation.

ESMA will further enhance its risk monitoring capacities, generating market descriptive statistics as well as sophisticated risk indicators and metrics on the basis of new proprietary data. Most importantly for 2018, ESMA is planning to complement its ongoing market monitoring through our semi-annual Report on Trends, Risks and Vulnerabilities and our quarterly Risk Dashboards by launching an annual report series on EU derivatives markets, based on EMIR data, as well as an annual report series on EU alternative investment funds, drawing on AIFMD data.

In addition, ESMA will continue to pursue in-depth analyses around key topics, including market and fund liquidity, fund leverage, and the impact of innovation especially in the areas of market infrastructures and investment advice.

The 2018 Risk Assessment Work Programme complements ESMA’s other activity reporting documents, most importantly the Single Programming Document, the Regulatory Work Programme, the Supervisory Work Programme and the Supervisory Convergence Work Programme.

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (February 9) visited families living in units under the Community Housing Movement in Mong Kok to learn about their new living environment and daily lives. She then went to Lai Chi Kok to tour a modern landmark for creative design comprising two buildings converted under the Government’s Scheme on Revitalisation of Industrial Buildings.
 
     Mrs Lam, accompanied by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, and the Chairperson of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS), Mr Bernard Chan, visited families which moved into the community housing units at Soy Street in Mong Kok in recent months. Made available under the Community Housing Movement of the HKCSS as transitional housing to single-parent families who were inadequately housed, the 14 units in the building provided by the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), mainly sponsored by the Community Chest and operated by St James’ Settlement can accommodate 28 households.
 
     Under the promotion of the Government, the Community Housing Movement provides accommodation and support services for people in need with the joint efforts of welfare agencies, property owners, professionals and various sectors in the community. About 420 units, including more than 70 units from the URA, have been received by the HKCSS so far. They will be allocated to appropriate families after the completion of a series of procedures including inspection, identification of operators and renovation.
 
     “As stated in my Policy Address delivered in October last year, the current-term Government will think out of the box to facilitate the implementation of various short-term community initiatives to increase the supply of transitional housing, with a view to alleviating the hardship faced by families on the public rental housing waiting list and the inadequately housed. My thanks to organisations including the HKCSS, the URA, the Community Chest and St James’ Settlement for rolling out the Community Housing Movement and the project in Soy Street in a short time. I am pleased to learn that the two single-parent families which have moved into the community housing units in Soy Street have not only solved their earlier problems of poor living conditions, but also gained an improved learning environment for the children,” Mrs Lam said.
 
     Accompanied by the Head of Create Hong Kong, Mr Victor Tsang, Mrs Lam then visited D2 Place One and Two in Lai Chi Kok, including concept stores by non-profit-making organisation Fashion Farm Foundation to promote local fashion brands, creative markets with assorted handmade accessories, and time-limited shops opened by entrepreneurs of local brands or start-ups. She also met with some 30 local designers to learn about their creative experience and career development needs.
 
     In addition, she was briefed by representatives of Lawsgroup on the D2 Place project, including the progress of its participation in the Space Sharing Scheme for Youth under which the Government and the community collaborate to support start-ups and young entrepreneurs to rent co-working space or studios at a concessionary rate. D2 Place was transformed from industrial buildings to retail and commercial uses through the Scheme on Revitalisation of Industrial Buildings which had been implemented for about six years from 2010. 
 
     “This term of Government is keen to promote creative industries, particularly in the further development of the design sector. We will strive to provide more space through the Space Sharing Scheme for Youth and financial assistance to the trade to help local designers develop their career and potential,” Mrs Lam said.

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (February 9) that the carcass of a black-headed gull found in Lau Fau Shan, Tin Shui Wai, was confirmed as having the H5N6 avian influenza virus after laboratory testing.

     The bird carcass was found and collected near a public toilet at Ngau Hom Tsuen, Lau Fau Shan. It was suspected to have the H5 virus after initial laboratory testing yesterday (February 8). The black-headed gull is a common winter visitor. 

     The spokesman said two chicken farms are within 3 kilometres of where the dead bird was found. The AFCD has already informed the chicken farms concerned and found no abnormal mortality or symptoms of avian influenza among the chicken flocks so far. The AFCD will also phone poultry farmers to remind them to strengthen precautionary and biosecurity measures against avian influenza. Letters will be issued to pet bird shop owners and licence holders of pet poultry and racing pigeons, reminding them that proper precautions must be taken. The AFCD will continue to monitor the situation closely.

     The Hong Kong Wetland Park is also within 3km of where the bird was found. Cleaning and disinfection has been stepped up at the Wetland Park. Notices have also been put up to remind visitors to pay attention to personal hygiene. The Wetland Park will keep a close watch on the situation of birds inside the Park.

     The spokesman said the department will conduct inspections of poultry farms and the wholesale market to ensure that proper precautions against avian influenza have been implemented. The department will continue its wild bird monitoring and surveillance.

     “People should avoid personal contact with wild birds and live poultry and their droppings. They should clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them. The public can call 1823 for follow-up if they come across suspicious, sick or dead birds, including the carcasses of wild birds and poultry,” the spokesman said.

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will continue to be vigilant over live poultry stalls. It will also remind stall operators to maintain good hygiene.

     The Department of Health will keep up with its health education to remind the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent avian influenza.

     The AFCD, the FEHD, the Customs and Excise Department and the Police will strive to deter the illegal import of poultry and birds into Hong Kong to minimise the risk of avian influenza outbreaks caused by imported poultry and birds that have not gone through inspection and quarantine.

     All relevant government departments will continue to be highly vigilant and strictly enforce preventive measures against avian influenza.

     Health advice is available from the “H5N1 Health Advice” page on the AFCD website at www.afcd.gov.hk.