Washington, D.C. –  COG honored the Northern Virginia Regional Commission with its Regional Partnership Award for its leadership in organizing the first joint U.S. and European Conference of Metropolitan Regional Councils, which focused on addressing global climate change. 

In April 2008, NVRC and COG brought together more than 170 senior policy officials and staff representing over 40 U.S. and European regions in Alexandria, Virginia.  The two-day conference produced a joint declaration of cooperation signed by NVRC, COG, the National Association of Regional Councils and METREX (the Network of European Metropolitan Regions and Areas).  The declaration lays out an ambitious, multi-year agenda of collaboration to address the global challenge of climate change and sustainability.

“NVRC has been a recognized leader in fostering international partnerships and advancing the cause of regional collaboration,” said COG Executive Director David Robertson during COG’s annual luncheon at the National Press Club on December 10, 2008.  He presented the award to Fairfax County Vice-Chair Sharon Bulova, a past NVRC chairman and strong advocate for its international partnerships.