Celebration of the African Day of Decentralization by the Kingdom of Morocco and UCLG Africa
The conference, “Fighting corruption at the local level, a sustainable way to transform Africa from its territories”, will take place on Friday August 10, 2018, 9:30 to 13:00, at the Headquarters of the Ministry of Culture and Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco (BAHNINI HALL). Organizers working in partnership are The Government of the Kingdom of Morocco; the Pan African organization, United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa); the Association of Regions of Morocco (ARM); and the Moroccan Association of Presidents of Municipal Councils (AMPCC).
The conference will be part of the celebrations for the African Union’s African Day of Decentralization and Local Development (JADDL), a day declared by the AU under Article 20 of the African Charter on the Values and Principles of Decentralization, Local Governance and Local Development, as adopted at the Ordinary Session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government, held June 26 -27, 2014 in Malabo (Equatorial Guinea).
Reducing corruption is a priority for the African Union, with 2018 dedicated to the fight against this scourge under the theme: “Fighting corruption at the local level, a sustainable way to transform Africa from its territories“, divided into two sub-themes respectively:
– Corruption and conflict of interest in the management of local authorities: an impediment to the basic services to local populations, social justice and peace to local populations;
– Good local governance and promotion of the role of civil society and the media: guarantees for success in curbing corruption in these areas.
The conference will address the issue, with the aim to promote and celebrate the values and principles of the African Charter of Decentralization, Local Governance and Local Development through:
- The review of the African Charter on the Values and Principles of Decentralization, Local Governance and Local Development;
- The sensitization of local elected officials, women local elected officials and territorial managers on the impact and harmful effects of corruption and conflicts of interest in the management of local affairs, citizens, social justice and peace, and consequently, on sustainable development;
- Raising awareness on the role of civil society and the media as key stakeholders in the fight against corruption at the territorial level.
According to the 2017 Transparency International Index of Perceptions of Corruption, corruption continues to flourish in Africa with Sub-Saharan Africa as the worst-performing region, with an average score of 32. This impacts on local governments, charged with the responsibility of delivering basic public services to their constituents. The “shortfall” generated by corruption is a serious obstacle to the achievement of Agenda 2063 (The Africa We Want) and Agenda 2030 (the 17 Sustainable Development Goals), with 65% of their successful implementation dependent on local level activites. Most notably, SDG 16, aims to curb corruption and bribery in all its forms (Target 16.5) and to set up efficient, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels (Target 16.6 ). To achieve this, the fight must begin at the local level.
The conference will aim to bring concrete proposals based on the recommendations made by the participants in the 2018 United Nations Forum on Public Service during the Side Event organized by the Specialized Technical Committee No. 8 of the African Union on Public Service, Local Governments, Urban Development and Decentralization, UCLG Africa and its African Local Government Academy (ALGA) on “Transparency, integrity and the fight against corruption : A key requirement for the achievement of Sustainable Development.”
The official opening of the Conference will be led by Representatives from:
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
- The Ministry of Home Affairs;
- The Ministry of Culture and Communication;
- The Association of Regions of Morocco (ARM);
- The Moroccan Association of Presidents of Municipal Councils (AMPCC) ;
- The Secretary General of UCLG-Africa, Mr. Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi.
Nearly 300 stakeholders in local governance in Morocco are expected to attend the conference, the first of its kind since the return of the Kingdom of Morocco to the African Union family.
The national and international press (based in Morocco) is invited to cover the opening ceremony on Friday August 10, 2018 at 9:30am at the Headquarters of the Ministry of Culture and Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco (BAHNINI HALL), No. ° 1, Ghandi Street, Rabat.
– Concept Note of the Conference
For further information, please contact :
Gaëlle Yomi: Tel: + 212 610 56 71 45
Email: gyomi@uclga.org
