European Regional Executive Committee
The European Regional Executive Committee (REXCom) represents ICLEI’s Members in Europe. Each of the five REXCom members are responsible for a specific portfolio related to sustainability. The members can also contribute to the portfolios held by other REXCom members. The current chair of the European REXCom is Evelyne Huytebroeck. Alexandra van Huffelen holds the position of vice-chair.
Portfolio 1: Resilient cities
Sustainable urban development and resilience, urban governance and management, urban planning and monitoring, resource efficiency:
Alexandra C. van Huffelen, Deputy Mayor, Rotterdam
MSc in Public Administration, University Leiden, Erasmus University Rotterdam and Århus University, Århus, Denmark- Responsible for managing the CO2-reduction plan within the Dutch Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment
- Different executive functions in relation to strategy and sustainable energy production with Essent, one of the largest Dutch energy companies
- 2010 elected Vice Mayor for Sustainability, City Centre and Public Space for D66, the social-liberal party
- Relevant functions include membership in the Board of the Rotterdam Climate Initiative, the Taskforce for E-mobility and the role of spokesperson on Green Economy on behalf of Dutch local governments.
Portfolio 2: Green urban economies
Urban resource efficiency and innovation, sustainable procurement, urban mobility, green urban jobs (including sustainable tourism).
Pekka Sauri, Deputy Mayor, Helsinki
Doctor of Philosophy- Published a number of books on psychology and politics, including "The Psychology of Politics" (2002)
- Since 1984 various political positions in the City of Helsinki
- 1989 - 2001 member and later Vice-President of the City Board and from 2001 to 2003, President of the City Council
- Founding member of the Green Party of Finland, Party Secretary in 1990-91 and Party Leader from 1991 – 1993
- 1994 - 1997 Chair of the Federation of European Green Parties
- 1995 - 2005, I was board member of the Finnish Association of Local Authorities.
- From 2005, President of the Finnish Central Association for Mental Health.
- Since 2003 full-time Deputy Mayor of Helsinki with the portfolio of Public Works and Environmental Affairs, including public works (streets and parks), public transport, procurement, maintenance and catering, the fire and rescue department, the wholesale market and market halls, market squares and street vending
- International posts included: deputy member of the Committee of Regions of the European Union (COR) (1997-2001), member of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (CLRAE) (1995-2004) and board member of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) (2001-2005)
Portfolio 3: Low carbon societies
Climate mitigation and adaptation, resource efficiency and savings, renewable energy in cities and local governments.
Evelyne Huytebroeck, Minister, Brussels Region
Degree in journalism from Brussels University- 1981 - 1989 freelance journalist for numerous periodicals
- 1984 - 1989 press attaché with the Fédération Jeunesses Musicales
- 1989 - 2002 Brussels Deputy Head of the Ecolo group
- 2002 - 2004 Co-president of Ecolo – Belgian Green Party
- 2004 - 2009 Minister of the Brussels Region for the Environment, Energy, Tourism and Social Affairs
- Since 2009 Minister of the Brussels Capital Region with responsibility for the Environment, Energy Policy, Urban Renovation, Social Affairs, Youth and Youth Aid
Portfolio 4: Resource efficient cities
Sustainable and integrated water management, biodiversity and ecosystem services, waste management, sustainable consumption and production.
Mercè Rius i Serra, Deputy President for Environment, Province of Barcelona
- PhD in Biology from the University of Barcelona
- Has been head of several urban waste water treatment plants and responsible for several projects related to environmental issues, specially in the field of wastewater engineering
- 2007 – 2011 Deputy Mayor for Environment and Mobility at Badalona City Council with responsibility for many environmental and social issues such as Local Agenda 21, green procurement, noise and atmospheric pollution control and energy policies development
- Since 2011 Councillor of Badalona and Deputy for Environment at Barcelona Provincial Council
Portfolio 5: Good practices and lighthouse
Sharing and communicating good practices and models, relations to European cities
Dieter Salomon, Lord Mayor, Freiburg
Doctorate (Dr. phil.) in political science- 1990 - 2000 Member of the Municipal Council of the City of Freiburg for the Alliance '90/The Greens group
- 1992 Elected into the federal state parliament of Baden-Württemberg for the Green Party
- 2000 Elected Chairman of the Green Party in the federal state parliament of Baden-Württemberg; renounced the mandate as a member of the Municipal Council of the City of Freiburg
- 2000 – 2002 Member of the Broadcasting Council of Südwestrundfunk (broadcasting corporation in south west Germany governed by public law)
- May 5, 2002 Elected Lord Mayor of the City of Freiburg, re-elected in 2010
- Since 2002 Member of the Board of the Association of Towns and Cities of the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg, since 2011 vice-president
- Since 2003 Member of the Presiding Board of the German Association of Towns and Cities (Deutscher Städtetag)
