The highlights of the Cuenca Forum on Tourism and Regional Economic Development, and the Regional Best Practice Awards, all in one place. Finally, an opinion piece to explore the issue in greater depth.
NEWS
Azuay Forum Highlights Tourism as a Key Driver of Development.
The Tourism and Regional Development Forum, organized by ORU Fogar on 3 July together with the Provincial Government of Azuay as host, GLOCAL, which provided the technical expertise, and with the support of CONGOPE, left no doubt that tourism can be a key driver of development...
The Tourism Forum concludes with a heritage tour of the Andean Road Network.
As part of the supporting activities for the ORU Fogar Bureau and Assembly and the “Glocal Forum 2026 – Tourism and Regional Economic Development”, held in Cuenca, Ecuador, on 2 and 3 July 2026 respectively, the Azuay Prefecture organised sightseeing tours of the cantons of Sígsig and Cuenca, as well as the parish of Molleturo, with the aim of showcasing some of the province’s rich heritage, culture and natural beauty...
A region of Ukraine takes first place in the Regional Best Practices Award.
At the close of their ORU Fogar assembly held in Azuay province, Ecuador, the United Regions Organization and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) have announced that a region of Ukraine has been ranked first in the 11th edition of this international award. On this occasion, the call, which aims to recognize and disseminate innovative and efficient public policies implemented by intermediate and regional governments, has had the participation of 79 regions around the world...
Two African regions finally receive the Regional Best Practices Award.
At the end of their assembly held in the province of Azuay, Ecuador, the United Regions Organization (ORU Fogar) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) have announced the winning initiatives for the 11th edition of this international award. The big news this year, with 79 regions from around the world participating, is that, for the first time in the history of the award, two African regions have been ranked among the five regional best practices...
Rachid el Abdi, President of ORU Fogar. "The 11th edition of our Regional Best Practice Awards has marked a historic turning point. Having received 79 nominations from around the world, we are pleased to see that two African regions - the Conseil Départemental de Koungheul (Senegal) and the Conseil Régional du Centre-Ouest (Burkina Faso) - have been recognized as among the best global initiatives."
