The Oriental Region hosts the 2nd Edition of the African Forum of Territorial Managers and Training Institutes Targeting Local Governments

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The 2nd edition of the African Forum of Territorial Managers and Training Institutes Targeting Local Governments will take place April 25-26, 2018, at the BE LIVE Hotel, Saidia, the Kingdom of Morocco, (Oriental Region). The forum will be organized between the Interior Ministry of the Kingdom of Morocco, the Association of Regions of Morocco (ARM), the Moroccan Association of Presidents of Municipal Councils, (AMPCC), the Council of the Oriental Region and United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG-Africa).  This 2nd edition of the Forum is part of the actions of the African Local Government Academy (ALGA).

The holding of this forum in Saidia is also an opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of the Oriental Region to develop solidarity partnerships with the African Territorial Authorities to jointly contribute to the realization of human development projects to improve the conditions life of the African people.

Following the 1st edition of the Forum, held in the city of Salé in September 2017, which drew attention to the urgent need to act on the human capital of local and regional governments in Africa to give credibility to decentralization policies, this 2nd edition aims to mobilize for the development of the human capital of local authorities in Africa in order  to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals on the continent.

Participants will reflect on the reforms to be undertaken to make local authorities one of the first career choices for young people embarking on a new career path. They will share their experiences and good practices with regard to requisite reforms, review of those that are implemented and the incentives that are put in place or are envisaged to this end.

The quality of service offered by the municipalities to the population is at the heart of the performance reviews of the territorial administrations. Examination of experiences both in and outside Africa will identify the criteria of excellence to be considered for the administrations of local authorities in Africa, so that they can truly be at the service of the people. In this view, these administrations need to base their proposals and actions on a minimum of information and knowledge of what is happening on the ground and what will happen. In order to achieve this it is necessary to promote collaboration between managers of territorial administrations and academic and training institutions targeting local governments.

Particular attention will be paid to the management of human resources of local authorities, to cooperation between local authorities around the issue of human resources and to the development of the functioning of human resources within local authorities.

The Forum will also be marked by the holding of the 1st general assembly of the Network of Human Resources Managers of the Cities and Territories of Africa (2R RH), as well as the ceremony for the delivery of Training Certificates of the 1st Moroccan Promotion of Territorial Coaches.

The Forum will be held in Saidia, Oriental Region, for two days April 25-26, 2018. It will bring together members of national governments and senior government officials, leaders of local governments and government officials, representatives of universities and training institutes targeting local and regional authorities, representatives of civil society organizations and the private sector, from Africa and other regions of the world.

The official Opening Ceremony of the Forum will take place at the BE LIVE Hotel in Saidia on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at 10:00am.

 

For more information, please contact:

Gaëlle Yomi: Phone: + 212 610 56 71 45

e-mail:GYomi@UCLGa.org

Mr. Gautier Brygo: Phone  +212  661  300  829

e-mail: gbrygo@gmail.com

Zerouali Mohammed : Tel :+212 666036579

Email : m_zerouali@yahoo.fr

 

 

CENTRAL AFRICA REGION READY FOR AFRICITIES SUMMIT 2018

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Libreville, Gabon, April 17, 2018

The United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa) Regional Strategic Meeting for Central Africa, was held at Le Méridien Re-Ndama Hotel in Libreville, Gabon, April 16-17, 2018.

The meeting was organized in partnership with the Libreville Municipality. Six of the eight countries in the Central African region participated in the meeting: Cameroon, Congo, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon and Chad. Delegates were Presidents from the national associations of local governments, leaders from the Network of Locally Elected Women of Africa (REFELA) and the permanent secretaries of the national associations.

The meeting was officially opened by Mrs. Judith Koumba Pemba Mombo, Secretary General representing the Minister of the Interior and Security in charge of Decentralization and Local Development, in the presence of: Mr. Diderot Moutsinga Kebila, Governor of the Estuaire Province; Mrs. Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda, Mayor of Libreville, Vice-President of UCLG for Africa; Mr. Christian Roger Okemba, Mayor of Brazzaville (Congo) and Vice President of UCLG Africa for the Central Africa Region; Mrs. Celestine Ketcha Courtès, President of REFELA; Mr. Mohamed Yassine Daoudi, Vice President of the Moroccan Association of Presidents of Municipal Councils (AMPCC); and Mr. Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General of UCLG Africa.

The proceedings were chaired by Mr. Christian Roger Okemba, Mayor of Brazzaville (Congo) and Vice-President of UCLG Africa for the Central Africa Region and moderated by Mr. Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General of UCLG Africa.

The first day was devoted to an exchange of information on the state of decentralization in the countries of the Central Africa region and the role of local and regional authorities in the implementation of the African Union Agenda 2063, and the international agendas adopted by the United Nations in 2015 and 2016. The session also provided an update on the signing and ratification of the African Charter on the Values and Principles of Decentralization, Local Governance and Local Development, as well as the creation of the High Council of Local Authorities as an advisory body of the African Union.

The participants from the Central Africa region are facing several similar realities in implementing the decentralization process in their country. Where the legislation governing decentralization exists, its implementation is slow to materialize. According to the UCLG Africa report on “Assessing the Institutional Environment of Local Governments in Africa,” the Central African region is the lowest ranked country in terms of a climate favorable to local authorities.

Members of UCLG Africa in the region were invited to contribute to the update of their country fact sheet within this report and also to advocate for their country’s ratification of the “African Charter on the Values and Principles of Decentralization, Local Governance and Local Development.” Since its adoption in Malabo in 2014, the charter has been signed by 13 countries and ratified by only 3 countries (Madagascar, Burundi and Namibia), with none from Central Africa. The Charter will become a legal instrument of the African Union when it is signed and ratified by 15 countries and filed with the African Union Commission. Concerning this point, a delegation was received by the Interior Minister of Gabon who pledged to raise the issue to ensure the ratification of the charter in his country by June-July 2018.

The national associations were also invited to write memoranda on the state of decentralization in their country and to mark the celebration of African Decentralization Day, a day to be celebrated annually on August 10th by the African Union.

Participants examined their involvement in the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and were invited to invent their own urbanization. Only 12 countries on the African continent have a national urbanization policy. They were encouraged to make twinnings between cities and universities to produce quality data adapted to the realities of each African city (slums, household waste, etc).

Regarding the SDGs, they filled in the questionnaire of the UCLG World Organization on the localization of the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda. The results of the questionnaire will represent the voice of local Africa in a report that UCLG will produce for the commissions of the United Nations Regional Offices and for the United Nations High Level Political Forum (HLPF) in July 2018.

During the second day, attention focused on UCLG Africa’s relations with the European Union. In 2013, the EU adopted a communication, which for the first time recognizes local authorities as fully-fledged public authorities. Following this recognition, the European Union has entered into a framework partnership agreement with international and continental associations of local governments, including UCLG Africa. The participants were also informed of the fact that, in accordance with the provisions of the 2013 EU Communication on Local Authorities, national associations can be considered as being in a situation of monopoly in their respective countries and as such can access EU cooperation funds allocated to local authorities without going through a call for proposals, provided that they present and discuss with the EU delegation an implementation program agreed with the members of the said national association. The participants were also informed of the start of negotiations on the post-Cotonou Agreement that will govern the cooperation relationship between the African Union and the European Union for the next 20 years.

UCLG members from Central Africa were urged to advocate with their national governments for local and regional authorities to participate as key partners in the various stages of discussion of the agreement. It was also recommended that a delegation of political decision-makers from UCLG Africa should meet the President of the African Union Commission to request that the territorial authorities be involved alongside the African Union Commission from the beginning of the negotiations of the post-Cotonou agreement. In addition, UCLG Africa members from the Central Africa region were asked to meet with EU delegations in their respective countries to discuss the implementation of the provisions of the 2013 Communication. One of the problems raised was that of the weak capacity of national associations to prepare applications that are eligible for European funding. Members asked the secretariat to consider setting up a technical support unit for associations to prepare funding requests. This unit should also be deployed at the level of the regional offices.

Participants discussed the establishment of a local authorities transparency and integrity Index. This concern is increasingly highlighted by citizens as well as by central governments and the financial community. As such, it is necessary to anticipate the demand for transparency, for which territorial authorities are being increasingly challenged to act. This was followed by discussion of Internet-based communication strategies and the Secretariat’s offer to members to assist them in the setting up their websites.

Members were informed of the launch of the three main campaigns at the heart of the 2018-2020 three-year action plan of the Network of Locally Elected Women of Africa (REFELA): African Cities without Street Children; African Cities: Zero Tolerance to Violence Against Women; and African Cities Promoting Women’s Leadership and Economic Empowerment. The local governments of Central Africa subscribed to the “African Streets without Street Children” campaign, which will be officially launched at the Africities 8 summit in Marrakech, Morocco from November 20-24, 2018.

Members were invited to participate in large numbers in the summit and were also informed of the importance of their participation in the General Assembly of UCLG Africa and in the Assembly of the Network of Locally Elected Women of Africa (REFELA) to be held during the summit. They were also reminded of the rules and procedures of the Elective General Assembly to be held on November 23 at the Africities Summit.

The official launch of the 8th edition of the Africities Summit will take place in Rabat, Morocco on May 15, 2018. The theme of this edition is, “The transition to sustainable cities and territories: the role of local African governments.” The Africities Summit will also be the setting of the elective general assembly of UCLG Africa (November 23, 2018). In order to submit the candidacies of the Central Africa region to the various bodies of the organization, a caucus, bringing together the presidents of the various national associations, was held on April 17 and resulted in the nominations included in the final declaration of the regional meeting.

The regional strategic meeting held in Libreville followed that held in Nairobi, Kenya April 9-10, 2018 for the East Africa region. Further meetings scheduled include the Strategic Meeting of Southern Africa in Walvis Bay, Namibia, May 7-8, 2018; the Strategic Meeting of West Africa in Accra, Ghana, May 28-29, 2018; and the North Africa Strategic Meeting in Rabat, Morocco, June 18-19, 2018.

For further information, please contact:

Gaëlle Yomi: Tel: + 212 610 56 71 45

e-mail: gyomi@uclga.org

UCLG Africa Regional Strategic Meeting in Libreville

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The regional strategic meeting of the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa) for the Central Africa Region will be held at Le Méridien Re-Ndama Hotel in Libreville, Gabon, on April 16th and 17th, 2018. The meeting is organized by UCLG Africa, the Pan African representative and the voice of local governments on the continent in collaboration with the Municipality of Libreville.

The Gabonese capital will host the second meeting of a series of UCLG Africa strategic meetings that will take place across the five regions of Africa (North Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa). The first was held in Nairobi, Kenya from 10 to 11 April 2018 for the East Africa region. As the representative voice of local authorities on the continent, UCLG Africa aims to:

  1. Take stock of the state of decentralization in the different regions and address the priorities of the decentralization agenda in the regions
  2. Deliberate on the priority actions required to support local governments to become reliable partners for national governments; the regional economic communities; other development partners and stakeholders.

The meetings will address specific issues such as:

  • Updating the UCLG Africa members in the region on the Global and African Agendas and the involvement of local governments in their implementation, especially the African Union Agenda 2063, the New Urban Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Climate Change Agenda, and The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction;
  • The status of the signature and ratification of the African Charter on the Values and Principles of Decentralization, Local Governance and Local Development in the different countries of Central Africa
  • The participation of the UCLG Africa members in Central Africa in the preparation and implementation of the Africities 2018 Summit, the flagship event of UCLG Africa, which will be held from November 20 – 24, 2018 in Marrakesh (Kingdom of Morocco), around the theme: “The transition towards sustainable cities and territories: The role of African local governments.”
  • The preparation and participation of the members of the Central Africa Region in the Elective General Assembly of UCLG Africa to be held on 23 November in the framework of the Africities Summit.

The official opening of the meeting will be chaired by His Excellency Mr. Lambert Noel MATHA, Minister of the Interior, Security, in charge of Decentralization and Local, in the presence of:

  • Mr.  Diderot Moutsinga Kebila, Governor of the Estuary Province
  • Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda, Mayor of Libreville, UCLG Vice-President for Africa;,
  • Mr Christian Roger Okemba, Mayor of Brazzaville (Congo), Vice President of UCLG Africa for the Central Africa Region;
  • Mr. Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General of UCLG Africa.

The meeting will be attended by the presidents of the national associations of local governments, leaders of the Network of Locally Elected Women (REFELA) and the permanent secretaries of national associations of local governments. Other participants in the meeting will include experts on decentralization, urbanization and climate change.

The national and international media based in Gabon are invited to cover the opening ceremony this Monday, April 16, 2018 at 09:00 am at at Le Méridien Re-Ndama Hotel in Libreville, and the closing press briefing on Tuesday, April 17 at the same venue at 05:00 pm.

The upcoming UCLG Africa regional strategic meetings will take place respectively in  Walvis-Bay (Namibia) on 7 – 8 May 2018, for the Southern Africa Region; Accra (Ghana) on 28 – 29, May 2018, for the West Africa Region; and Rabat (Morocco) on 18 -19 June 2018, for the North Africa Region.

For further information, please contact:

Gaëlle Yomi: Tel: + 212 610 56 71 45

Email: gyomi@uclga.org

 

Regional Strategic Meeting Unifying East Africa Local Authorities and Cities

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Nairobi, Kenya, April 10, 2018

The regional strategic meeting of the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa) for the Eastern Africa Region took place at the Intercontinental Hotel (Nairobi, Kenya), April 9 -10, 2018.

The meeting, organized in collaboration with the Council of Governors (COG), of Kenya, was attended by 10 countries representing 14 national associations of local government, (Rwanda, Burundi, Madagascar, Comoros, Uganda, Seychelles, Tanzania, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya) and were represented by presidents of the associations and the leaders of the Network of Locally Elected Women (REFELA) and their permanent secretaries.

Proceedings were opened by Amb Tuneya Hussein Dado, Chief Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Devolution and ASALS in the presence of Honourable Governor Josephat Nanok Koli, Chairperson of the Council of Governors (CoG); Mr. David Andre, the Mayor of Victoria, Seychelles, UCLG Africa Vice President for the Eastern Africa Region; and Mr. Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General of UCLG Africa.

In his opening remarks, Amb Tuneya Hussein Dado reiterated the importance of strengthening local governments and the key role played by UCLG Africa in uniting local governments across Africa. On behalf of the Council of Governors of Kenya, Honourable Governor Josephat Nanok Koli, welcomed all and expressed his happiness in hosting the first of the five UCLG African regional strategic meetings. He restated COG’s commitment to African cooperation led by UCLG Africa and the decentralization agenda.

The UCLG Africa Secretary General, Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, reminded participants of the importance of the UCLG Africa regional strategic meetings.

“They are key in the life of UCLG Africa. It is therefore critical that members take full advantage of their holding to share knowledge on the situation of decentralization and subnational and local governments in their respective countries and to make inputs in reflecting on how to improve this situation for greater involvement of subnational and local governments in the definition and implementation of the development and integration policies and strategies set forth by Agenda 2063 of the African Union.

The regional strategic meetings also provide a moment for members to reflect on what is happening at both the continental and global levels, particularly on how it impacts on subnational and local government mandates and actions.”

During the first day, two sessions were held which discussed UCLG Africa’s network in the region. In the first session, participants shared their experiences and key challenges on the state of decentralization in their respective countries and received information on decentralized cooperation partnerships. Discussion also surrounded the importance of UCLG Africa’s Pan Africa Peer Review, which supports members in identifying capacity issues. Candidates for hosting a Peer Review mission and participating in Peer Review teams were registered.

The second session addressed the functioning of UCLG Africa networks and how these networks could enhance the delivery capacity of subnational and local governments. UCLG Africa networks include the Network of Locally Elected Women of Africa (REFELA); the network of City Managers (MAGNET); the network of City Chief Finance Officers (FINET); and the network of City Chief Technical Officers (TECHNET). The session also focussed on the role of local and regional governments in implementing African and global agendas such as the African Charter on Values & Principles of Decentralization, Local Governance & Local Development; the setting up of the High Council of Local Authorities as a consultative body of the African Union; the role of subnational and local governments in the implementation of Agenda 2063 of the African Union; the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); and the Climate Change Agenda.

UCLG Africa’s members from the East Africa region are being invited to advocate for the ratification of the African Charter on Values & Principles of Decentralization, Local Governance & Local Development. Since its adoption in Malabo in 2014, the charter has been signed by 13 countries but has only been ratified by three countries, two of which are in the East Africa region (Madagascar and Burundi). The charter will become a legal instrument of the African Union when signed and ratified by 15 countries and deposited at the Africa Union Commission.

During the presentation on the role of African local governments in the implementation of SDGs, participants were given an example of the role played by local authorities in Nigeria. UCLG, the world organization of local authorities, has also developed a toolkit that was shared with members.

On the Climate Agenda, national associations of local governments were encouraged to join the global covenant of mayors for climate and energy, where the Africa chapter is hosted by UCLG Africa in its West Africa Regional Office,(WARO). The UCLG Africa Climate Task Force was launched during COP23 to assist African subnational and local governments prepare funding requests eligible for the green climate fund.

Members were informed about local government transparency and integrity aimed at providing voluntary members with a tool to address the daunting issue of corruption in the subnational and local government administrations.

Participants were also informed about the role they are expected to play in the implementation of the European Union cooperation agenda. In 2013, the EU adopted a Communication that for the first time recognized local authorities as public authorities in their own right. Following this recognition the European Union concluded a framework partnership agreement with international and continental associations of local governments, including UCLG Africa. According to the provisions of the 2013 EU Communication on local authorities, national associations having a monopoly situation in their country can access EU cooperation funds allocated to local governments without going through a call for proposals, provided they present to and discuss with the EU delegation an implementation program agreed upon by the members of the said national association. Participants were further informed about the beginning of the negotiations of the Post Cotonou Agreement that will frame the cooperation relations between the Africa Union and European Union for the next 20 years. Attention was called for UCLG Africa members to advocate and lobby their national governments to have them include local governments as key partners at the different steps, from the negotiations stage to the definition and implementation stages, which implies that the territorial and local level should be recognized as the critical level for the implementation and impact assessment of EU cooperation programs. Engagement with the EU delegations was also recommended to follow up on the implementation of the 2013 Communication and on the post Cotonou Agreement negotiations that will start soon (presumably in September 2018).

The Africities 8th Edition, which will be hosted in Marrakesh from November 20-24, was announced and members were invited to attend in numbers. Members were also reminded that they are expected to participate in General Assembly of UCLG Africa and the Network of Locally Elected Women of Africa (REFELA) that will be held during the summit and were briefed on the rules and procedures of the Elected General Assembly, which will be held on November 23. The official launch of the 8th Edition of the Africities Summit will take place in Rabat, Morocco on the May 15, 2018.

The CEO of the Council of Governors has expressed an interest in hosting the next Africities Summit in 2021 and has requested the support of UCLG Africa members from the East Africa region.

The regional strategy meeting held in Nairobi will be followed by the regional strategic meetings for the Central Africa Region in Libreville, (Gabon), April 16-17 2018; the Southern Africa Region in Walvis-Bay (Namibia), May 7-8, 2018; the West Africa Region in Accra (Ghana), May 28-29, 2018; and the North Africa Region in Rabat (Morocco), June 18 -19, 2018.

For further information, please contact:

Gaëlle Yomi: Tel: + 212 610 56 71 45

Email: gyomi@uclga.org

Launch of The Training of an African Promotion in the Territorial Coach Trade by ALGA

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The African Local Government Academy (ALGA) of UCLG Africa, in partnership with the Oriental Region of Morocco, will launch a first promotion of the training in the Territorial Coach Trade, on 23 April 2018 in the Oriental region, in Oujda (Morocco). This training fits in with the framework of the implementation of the College of Territorial Coaching which is part of the continuing education offer of the Academy.

Territorial Coaching is an innovative concept initiated by UCLG Africa and tried out in the Oriental Region of Morocco since 2009 with the support of numerous Partners. Its purpose is to facilitate dialogue and consultation between the local and regional authorities with all the players and stakeholders involved in the dynamics of sustainable development of territory.

 

For the African Local and Regional Governments, Territorial Coaching is a powerful lever contributing to the implementation of the new global agendas, notably the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the New Urban Agenda and the Climate Agenda. These are especially, the support for the implementation of SDG 11 “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable” and SDG 16 “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.”

The College of Territorial Coaching thus gives to the participants the opportunity to acquire skills on the Territorial Coach trade, to leverage their expertise and share their experiences.

The first African training will be held in two phases: the first in Oujda (Morocco) from 23 April to 02 May 2018 and the second at the Seaside Resort of Saïdia, from 24 to 29 September 2018.

The main objectives of this training are:

– The creation of a pool of African expertise able to support the Local and Regional Governments in Morocco and throughout Africa;

– The training of about twenty Territorial Coaches in the areas of concepts, principles, methods and approach to Territorial Coaching, as well as provision of support to enable them to develop a program of action in their respective countries.

The participants in this first African Promotion will include: local elected officials, women local elected officials, Councilors and officers of Local and Regional Governments, heads of institutions involved in African Local and Regional Governments, heads of Ministerial Departments in charge of Decentralization, Local Governance and Local Development, NGO training officers, practitioners of Decentralization, Local Governance and Local Development, as well as other Civil Society stakeholders.

The winners of this African Promotion will receive their diplomas at the upcoming Africities 8 Summit scheduled to take place from 20 to 24 November 2018 in  Marrakech (Morocco).

 

For further information, please contact:
Gaelle Yomi : GSM : + 212 610 56 71 45 –   E-mail : gyomi@uclga.org

Nairobi to Host the Regional Strategic Meeting of UCLG Africa

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The regional strategic meeting of the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa) for the Eastern Africa Region will be held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, on April 9th and 10th, 2018. The meeting is organized by UCLG Africa, the Pan African representative and the voice of local governments on the continent in collaboration with the Council of Governors (COG) of Kenya.

Kenya’s capital, will kick-start a series of UCLG Africa strategic meetings that will take place across the five regions of Africa (North Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, Eastern Africa, Southern Africa). As the representative voice of local authorities on the continent, UCLG Africa aims to:

1. Take stock of the state of decentralization in the different regions and address the priorities of the decentralization agenda in the regions

2. Deliberate on the priority actions required to support local governments to become reliable partners for national governments; the regional economic communities; other development partners and stakeholders.

The meetings will address specific issues such as:

• Updating the UCLG Africa members in the region on the Global and African Agendas and the involvement of local governments in their implementation, especially the African Union Agenda 2063, the New Urban Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Climate Change Agenda, and The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction;

• The status of the signature and ratification of the African Charter on the Values and Principles of Decentralization, Local Governance and Local Development in the different countries of Eastern Africa

• The participation of the UCLG Africa members in Eastern Africa in the preparation and implementation of the Africities 2018 Summit, the flagship event of UCLG Africa, which will be held from November 20 – 24, 2018 in Marrakesh (Kingdom of Morocco), around the theme: “The transition towards sustainable cities and territories: The role of African local governments.”

• The preparation and participation of the members of the Eastern Africa Region in the Elective General Assembly of UCLG Africa to be held on 23 November in the framework of the Africities Summit.

The official opening of the meeting will be chaired by Mr.Festus Mwangi Kiunjuri, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Devolution and Planning, representative of the Minister, in the presence of:

• His Excellency, Governor Josephat Nanok Koli – Chairperson Council of Governors

• Mr. David Andre, Mayor of Victoria Seychelles, UCLG Africa Vice President, Eastern Africa Region

• Mr. Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General of UCLG Africa.

The meeting will be attended by the presidents of the national associations of local governments, leaders of the Network of Locally Elected Women (REFELA) and the permanent secretaries of national associations of local governments. Other participants in the meeting will include experts on decentralization, urbanization and climate change.

The national and international media based in Kenya are invited to cover the opening ceremony this Monday, April 09, 2018 at 09:00 am at the InterContinental Hotel, Nairobi and the closing press briefing on Tuesday, April 10 at the same venue at 05:00 pm.

The upcoming UCLG Africa regional strategic meetings will take place respectively in Libreville (Gabon), on 16 – 17 April 2018, for the Central Africa Region; Walvis-Bay (Namibia) on 7 – 8 May 2018, for the Southern Africa Region; Accra (Ghana) on 28 – 29, May 2018, for the West Africa Region; and Rabat (Morocco) on 18 -19 June 2018, for the North Africa Region.

For further information, please contact:

Gaëlle Yomi: Tel: + 212 610 56 71 45

Email: gyomi@uclga.org

You can download the press release here  

17th SESSION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF UNITED CITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS OF AFRICA (UCLG Africa)

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The 17th Session of the Executive Committee of UCLG Africa was held on 24 November 2017 at Afrikland Hotel of Grand -Bassam (Côte d’Ivoire).

The deliberations were chaired by Mr. Christian Roger Okemba, Mayor of Brazzaville (Congo), Vice President of UCLG Africa for the Central Africa Region. The opening ceremony was also punctuated by wishes for successful deliberations from the Mayor of the City of Grand-Bassam, Mr. Georges Phillipe Ezaley; the Vice-President of the Union of Cities and Local Governments of Côte d’Ivoire (UVICOCI), Mr. Djibo Youssouf Nicolas, and the First Deputy Mayor of Dakar, Mr. Cheikh Guèye, representing the President of UCLG Africa, Mr. Khalifa Sall, Mayor of Dakar.

17-CE-2017-03-640

The main items on the agenda were:

– Adoption of the 2018 budget;

– The organization of 2018 Africities Summit;

– The first Africa-Europe Forum of Local and Regional Governments to be held in Abidjan on 27 November 2017 on the sidelines of the African Union-European Union Summit of Heads of State and Government.

The committee adopted the 2018 budget for UCLG Africa, with revenue expenditure set at €4,601,119.

Regarding the 2018 Africities Summit, the members of the Executive Committee were informed that the City of Brazzaville (Congo) had withdrawn and would no longer host the summit, due to the current financial difficulties that the country is experiencing. The Executive Committee members were also informed of the steps taken by the Secretary General to replace Congo with a request to the Government of Rwanda. So far there has been no clear response from the Rwandan Government and with the short time-lines to organize the summit, the President of the Moroccan Association of Presidents of Municipal Councils (AMPCC), Mr. Mohamed Boudra, informed the participants that in order not to jeopardize the reputation of the event if Rwanda could not provide a favorable response for its organisation in Kigali December 2018, that Morocco would be prepared to host the Africities Summit.

The Executive Committee welcomed this proposal and endorsed Morocco’s decision to organize the next Africities Summit in December 2018. It also directed the Secretary General to inform the Rwandan side, and request it to consider the proposal to host the Summit in December 2021.

Regarding the first Africa-Europe Forum of Local and Regional Governments due to be held on 27 November 2017 in Abidjan, the Committee was informed of the preparation and organization which was also the subject of further discussion during the meeting of the Pan-African Council of Local Governments that took place on 25 November 2017 in Grand Bassam.

The Executive Committee also adopted the recommendations of the UCLG Africa Financial Management Commission, which met in the morning of 24 November 2017, notably the mobilization of membership dues.

Furthermore, the Committee was informed of the ongoing initiative to explore the establishment of a platform to facilitate the access of local and regional governments to the capital market. This platform foreshadows the creation of the African Cities Development Fund, that the UCLG Africa members decided to set up and whose feasibility studies are underway (FODEVA).

The Pan-African Council of UCLG Africa also decided to issue a Declaration denouncing the inhuman treatment of Sub-Saharan migrants in Libya. The opening ceremony for the deliberations of this meeting was chaired by the Prefect of the Territorial Department of Grand Bassam, Mr. Amakou Kassi Gabin.

Let us recall that the Executive Committee of UCLG Africa is the body in charge of the political management of UCLG Africa during a 3-year period between the sessions of the General Assembly of the organization. The Executive Committee comprises 16 members, 15 members representing equally each of the 5 regions of the continent (3 local elected officials for each of the 5 regions), plus the president of the Network of Local Elected Women in Africa (REFELA). The Executive Committee is elected for a 3-year term of office, running from the last UCLG Africa General Assembly held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 02 December 2015. The Pan African Council (composed of 45 members) is the supervisory body of the implementation of the UCLG Africa policies during this period, which is also held every 3 years. The next session of the UCLG Africa General Assembly is scheduled to take place in December 2018.

For further information, please contact:

Gaelle Yomi: + 212 610 56 71 45 Email:  gyomi@uclga.org

 

LAUNCH OF THE UCLG AFRICA CLIMATE TASK FORCE

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The 23rd Conference of the Parties (COP23) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Bonn, Germany from November 6 -17 2017, provided the framework for the launch of the UCLG Africa Climate Task Force and the presentation of its members to the political authorities and the general public.

The official launch of the UCLG Africa Climate Task Force was held in Bonn on Tuesday November 14, 2017 under the chairmanship of His Excellency Mr. Barnabé Dassigli, Minister of Decentralization and Local Governance of Benin, Chairman of the Specialized Technical Committee N° 8 of the African Union, in the presence of representatives of the first institutions that volunteered to join the Task Force. These were notably:

 

  • The African Development Bank (AfDB), represented for this purpose by Ms. Louise Helen BROWN, Climate Change Task Manager, Coordinator of the AfDB Fund for Climate Change in Africa;

 

  • The West African Development Bank (BOAD), represented by Mr. Bio Sawe, Director of the  Environment and Climate Finance;

 

  • The Local Government Capital Investment Fund of Morocco (FEC);

 

  • The Special Fund for Equipment and Inter-Municipal Intervention of Cameroon (FEICOM), represented by Mr. Côme Awoumou, Deputy Director of Cooperation and Partnership;

 

  • OECD, represented by Ms Marie Trémolières, Senior Policy Analyst at the Sahel and West Africa Club (SWAC) of OECD;

 

  • The Environment Agency for Territorial Development of the Presidency of the Republic of Benin, represented by Mr. Jean Claude Grisoni Niaki, expert in resource mobilization and structuring of projects for Climate Finance;

 

  • The 4C Agency of the Ministry of the Environment of Morocco, represented by its Director, Mr. Mohamed Nbou;

 

  • Cadi Ayyad University of Marrakech, represented by Professor Fatima Arib, Sustainable Development and Major Projects Task Manager at the Presidency of the University;

 

  • The National Associations of Local Governments in Africa, represented by Ms. Florence Radzilani, Mayor of the Municipality of the District of Vhembe (South Africa), Climate and Environmental Planning Officer at the South African Local Government Association (SALGA);

 

  • NGO ENERGIES 2050, represented by its CEO, Stéphane Pouffary  .

 

Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General of UCLG Africa, stated the intention of the Task Force to bring together, within the same ecosystem, the various stakeholders working with climate issues. This is to enable them to support local governments in Africa in the implementation of NDCs and in the access to climate finance and most notably the Green Climate Fund. This is open to all those who wish to join it who can do so by applying to the General Secretariat of UCLG Africa.

 

On behalf of the African Ministers of Public Service, Urban Development, Local Governments and Decentralization, the Hon. Minister Barnabé Dassigli of Benin, Chairman of the Specialized Technical Committee N° 8 of the African Union, commended UCLG Africa for its wonderful initiative, supported by STC N° 8. He expressed confidence that the UCLG Africa’s Climate Task Force would have a significant impact on the engagement of African local governments in the implementation of the Paris Agreement and pointed out that within the same support platform for local governments, development banks, institutions specializing in the financing of local governments, technical support agencies for local governments, academic and research institutions, associations of local governments and NGOs active in the field of climate, was a commitment to the synergy of the different stakeholders around the Climate Agenda. Hon. Minister Dassigli confirmed that the African Union’s STC N° 8 also supports requests made by local and regional elected officials during the preparatory Forum for COP 22 held in Cotonou in September 2016, especially with regard to the urgency of establishing a capacity building and technical assistance program for local governments to enable them to develop climate plans and prepare eligible funding applications for the Green Climate Fund; as well as for the recognition of UCLG Africa as an “Implementing Partner” of the Green Climate Fund.

 

The role of territories was recognized as essential for the realization of NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions). Local policy choices in terms of infrastructure, equipment and basic service delivery methods have made an impact on energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions. Priorities for elected officials include giving a climate perspective to the everyday actions they carry out. There is also a need to build their capacities to measure, report and verify the contribution of their actions and policies in the reduction of emissions and adaptation to the effects of climate change. This requirement for the Measurement, Reporting and Verification of climate actions (MRV) is one of the requirements of the Paris Agreement and one of the conditions to be met in order to access the Green Climate Fund. The National Associations of Local Governments will be required to advocate with the representatives of the NDC Partnership and the focal points of Green Climate Fund in their respective countries.

Consult the Concept Note of the Task Force:

 

See the conclusions of the Climate Summit of the local and regional leaders held in Bonn on  November 12, 2017, that led to the Bonn-Fiji commitment.

 

For further information, please contact:

Gaëlle Yomi : +212 610 56 71 45 /

Email: gyomi@uclga.org

UCLG Africa at COP23: Don’t miss our Events!

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The 23rd Conference of the Parties (COP23) for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to be held in Bonn, Germany, from the 6th to the 17th of November 2017 will see UCLG Africa and ENERGIES 2050 organize and participate in following events:

Thursday 9 November -Pavilion ENERGIES 2050 / UCLG Africa (C.06 – Zone Bonn)

11.00 to 12.30: Challenges and Opportunities of Territorializing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in Africa and Presentation of the UCLG Africa /ENEGIES 2050 Report.

Organisation: UCLG Africa & ENERGIES 2050

Friday 10 November – Pavilion ENERGIES 2050/UCLG Africa (C.06 – Zone Bonn)

15.00 to 16.30: Organizing Support for the Decentralized Actions of African Cities and Territories in the Fight Against Climate Change

Organisation: UCLG Africa & ENEGIES 2050

Monday 13 November

9 am to 10.30 am: Massive Open Online Course (MOOC): Planning for Climate Change in African Cities – Pavilion ENERGIES 2050/UCLG Africa (C.06 – Zone Bonn)

Organisation: UCLG Africa – African Local Government Academy (ALGA), ENERGIES 2050, Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS), Erasmus University Rotterdam.

13.00 to 14.45: African Cities and Territories at the Heart of Implementing NDCs & Testimony of the City of Grand Bassam– Pavilion OIF/IFDD – (C.07- Zone Bonn)

Organisation: UCLG Africa & ENEGIES 2050, IFDD

Tuesday 14 November -Pavilion ENERGIES 2050/ UCLG Africa (C.06 – Zone Bonn)

11.00 to 12.30: Task Force on the Access of African Cities and Territories to Climate Finance – Roadmap and Call for Action

Organisation: UCLG Africa & ENERGIES 2050

15.00 to 16.30: The Role of the Professional Network of African Cities and Territories in the Fight against Climate Change

Organisation: UCLG Africa & Energies 2050, The African Local Government Academy (ALGA), The Center of Competences on Climate Change (4C) Morocco, Cadi Ayyad University – Marrakech

Thursday, 16 November- Pavilion OIF/IFDD – (C.07- Zone Bonn)

9.00 – 10.30 am: Working in Favour of Climate in Africa: The Commitment of Local Authorities

Organisation:  Trophées Initiative Climat Afrique Francophone ( ICAF), UCLG Africa

You are cordially invited to attend these events as well as to come and meet us at our pavilion from November 6th  to 17th . The pavilion’s full program of activities is available at http://energies2050.org/cop23/  .

For more information, you can contact us at the following addresses:

 

• UCLG Africa: gyomi@uclga.org

• Energies 2050: info@energies2050.org

Establishment of the African Cities Development Fund (ACDF)

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United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa) organized a two-day workshop on the establishment of the African Cities Development Fund (ACDF), October 30-31, 2017 at the Hotel Rabat in Morocco.

The workshop proceeded work that was carried out after the conference, “Funding African cities: agenda, alliances and solutions,” which was held in Marrakech, Morocco, in November 2014. At the conference, members of UCLG Africa agreed to establish a financial vehicle dedicated to the funding of African cities, termed the African Cities Development Fund (ACDF). The Fund aims to enable cities to issue bonds on the national and international capital markets.

The workshop brought together twenty top level experts including specialists of fundraising on the financial markets; officials of development banks, funds or development banks dedicated to local governments; asset managers in international private banks; officials of rating agencies; and representatives of national and local administrations.

The exchange of views and experiences and the contributions of participants helped to establish that:

  1. There is a pressing need to set up a specialized vehicle for fundraising and access to funding in favor of African local governments. This vehicle will be named the African Cities Development Fund.
  2. The African Cities Development Fund will have a dual role; to sell the destination of African local governments to investors; and to prepare the capacity for absorption and debt management of these local governments.
  3. The African Cities Development Fund should enable local governments, or national institutions specializing in granting loans to the local governments, to borrow over a term of 7 to 15 years to finance development projects.
  4. During the preparation phase for the launch of the African Cities Development Fund, UCLG Africa should mobilize 2 million Euros, including 1.5 million Euros to be provided by local governments and 0.5 million by central governments; the objective being to mobilize 10 central governments and 30 local governments, each contributing 50,000 Euros. This takeoff fund should be mobilized before the end of 2019.
  5. As a starting point, the vehicle should aim to achieve approximately 2 to 3 billion dollars as its first fundraising goal. This should take place quickly (deadline 2020) and should target local governments that have a proven repayment capacity.

In this respect, a roadmap was worked out that would: 1. Define the structure of the capital: 2. Define the risk portfolio: 3. Cooperate with existing national tools: 4. Present the benefits of the vehicle: 5. Involve central governments to obtain their non-objection opinion: 6. Produce an information note on the vehicle: 7. Prepare and organize a communication campaign and a road show for the vehicle.

The intention is to finalize this roadmap in order to present the African Cities Development Fund as a vehicle of credible funding at the 2018 Africities Summit.

For further information, please contact:

Gaëlle Yomi: +212 610 56 71 45

Email: gyomi@uclga.org