RIGA, Sept 24 (LETA) - Representatives of Riga City Council this week signed the Green City Accord, a movement of European cities in which more than 70 city mayors have committed to protecting the natural environment, LETA was told at the city council's press office. 

The cooperation accord is intended to help cities make their environment cleaner and healthier, and as a result, improve residents' quality of life.

"We are fully aware of our responsibility to create a better living space for Riga's residents by developing a safer, healthier and more pleasant urban environment. We are confident that we will benefit from participation in this partnership of green cities. We are ready to share our experience, as well as take over good practice from cities in Europe, and we hope to become a source of inspiration to other cities of Latvia," said Riga Vice Mayor Linda Ozola (New Conservative Party). 

Riga has set reducing water, air and noise pollution, decreasing waste volumes, promoting biological diversity and integration of green infrastructure in the city's nature territories as its main environmental priorities. 

The city council's housing and environmental department has been put in charge of the implementation of the accord.