Cooperative Agreement
WHEREAS, we live in an age of increasing world-wide mutual dependence;
WHEREAS, the communities we represent share a common desire to promote economic growth and encourage business development through recognition of our reciprocal needs, shared risks and common objectives;
WHEREAS, our cities have made a commitment to strategic economic development in the knowledge that sharing of expertise and experience benefits all;
NOW THEREFORE, we the undersigned agree to enter into this Cooperative Agreement to update the formal relationships between our communities, fostering business development and trade opportunities.
Upon payment of yearly membership dues, we hereby agree to the following:
- That the participants in the World Energy Cities Partnership ("WECP" or “the Partnership”) keep each other informed of important economic and civic issues.
- That the participants encourage strategic links and joint ventures between the business and commercial sectors of their cities.
- That the participants give close consideration to the joint exploration of other world markets.
- That the participants provide information, liaison and support to prospective businesses interested in investment and business opportunities, in order to facilitate access to each other's markets.
- That the participants undertake to promote public awareness of the WECP.
- That the participants coordinate economic missions within their respective locality in collaboration with all levels of government, as appropriate.
- That the participants will meet, at a minimum, once a year to discuss organizational issues, and the participants will meet at major international conferences as appropriate and agreed upon.
- That the partners keep current in their membership fees to better support the goals of the WECP.
- None of the participants shall be empowered to bind any other participant to action of any kind without that participant's express prior approval.
- That the City of Houston will endeavour to act as the permanent Secretariat, subject to receiving membership fees to support the duties undertaken therefore, and subject to the desire of the WECP that the City of Houston assume such position.
- That the City of Houston will endeavour to utilize international banking to facilitate continuity and incorporate the Partnership as a Texas non-profit organization.
- That any city may withdraw from the Partnership, at any time, without penalty, upon written notification to the President. The Partnership requires 2 months notice of this intention.
- That membership may be revoked if a city does not meet the above requirements, or if the Partnership Secretariat does not receive payment of membership fees within three months of them becoming due.
Last amended October 2009 - AGM, Clagary, Canada.