“➡️ The 3rd edition of the Climate Chance Summit Africa will be held from 15 to 17 September 2021 in virtual format. 3 days of sessions on many key themes and sectors of climate action including access to climate finance, sustainable mobility, adaptation and water, the role of women in climate action, the Great Green Wall, and more!
Register today by clicking here and join the largest community of non-state actors engaged in climate action in Africa.🌍”

The African Union (AU) has announced the theme for the 2021 edition of the  African Decentralization and Local Development Day (ADD), celebrated on 10 August of each year.

It is entitled: “The contribution of arts, culture and heritage in the sustainable development of African cities and territories”.

The African Charter of Values and Principles of Decentralization, Local Governance and Local Development, adopted in June 2014 by the Heads of State and Government meeting at their Summit in Malabo, in its Article 20 paragraph 4, institutes the commemoration of the African Decentralization and Local Development Day (ADD) on 10 August each year. The celebration of the ADD by all AU Member States is organized under the authority of the Sub-Committee on Decentralization and Local Development of the African Union Specialized Technical Committee No. 8 (AU-STC Nb 8) including the African ministers of public service, urban development and local governments and decentralization.

The theme chosen for the celebration of the ADD is based on the theme of the year defined by the Heads of State and Government of the African Union. The Heads of State and Government of the African Union have defined 2021 as the Year of arts, culture and heritage in Africa. It is in line with this choice that the theme for the celebration of the African Day of Decentralization and Local Development 2021 has been chosen, specified the concept note produced by the AU.

Three sub-themes have been defined, inviting African cities and territories to reflect on them:

Subtheme 1: Using art and culture as levers for social inclusion and for the promotion of the sense of belonging and oneness in African cities and territories

Subtheme 2: Mobilizing the energy of youth to boost the contribution of cultural and creative industries in job creation and sustainable development of African cities and territories

Subtheme 3: Developing activities around cultural heritage as a way to build city identity and to promote city branding and territorial marketing

The celebration aims to:

– sensitize and inform the general public;

The theme of the 4th  International Conference on Canadian, Chinese and African Sustainable Urbanization is : Density, Diversity and Mobility: the City in an Era of Cascading Risks! Taking place between July 28 – 31, 2021 virtually in Montreal, Canada, the conference programme is done in partnership of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN Habitat), McGill University, University of Ottawa, and Carleton University. During these four days, over 200 scholars, practitioners and policy-makers from 39 countries, and across multiple disciplines will discuss, debate and rethink the post-pandemic cities in Canada, China, Africa and other parts of the world.

Read more.

Are you a young African local elected official? Do you know a young African local elected official?

This is for you!

Participate in the meeting dedicated to young actors of local authorities from Africa and Europe, under the theme: “Africa-Europe Partnership: Connecting young local leaders! “. The event will take place online from 23 to 24 June 2021.

Register here.

The challenges of the meeting

Europe and Africa face more and more common challenges, there is a growing need for greater cooperation and solidarity, starting with the local level. Many of these challenges are long-term and intergenerational, meaning young people are deeply affected. And indeed who better to talk about the world of tomorrow than the youth?

That’s why UCLG Africa, Platforma and CEMR are holding the “Africa-Europe partnership: Connecting young local leaders!” event gathering young local and regional elected officials, youth organisations, representatives and partners from Europe and Africa to tackle one big question: how should African and European young local leaders organise their collaboration?

The event will explore how local leaders can structure their future dialogue and provide input to major events such as the African Union-European Union summits and Africities. The session will build upon previous work begun in Abidjan and Marrakesh in 2018.

During the opening session, inspiring young leaders will share their reflections on a future for Africa-Europe relations that takes into account the needs and wishes of young people in an increasingly connected world.

The following day, we’ll discuss the future of this partnership during a practical working group session and gather ideas to structure the dialogue and address common challenges together from a local perspective.

So don’t hesitate to come along to build the foundations of a partnership that will shake up Europe-Africa relations as we know them!

ICLEI Africa is hosting the RISE Africa 2021 Action Festival, in partnership with African Centre for Cities and Our Future Cities, on 24-28 May 2021. RISE Africa brings together diverse individuals and organisations who are contributing to sustainable urban futures in Africa. The Festival aims to celebrate our cities through creative sessions, to deepen ongoing conversations along multiple themes related to African cities, and to showcase and promote ongoing activities which are already transforming our cities. The theme for this year is NEXT URBAN CHAMPIONS*. More information 

 

 

 

 

The sixty-fifth session of the Commission on the Status of Women will take place from 15 to 26 March 2021. In light of the evolving COVID-19 situation, and taking into account the latest guidance from the United Nations Secretary-General and the World Health Organization (WHO), CSW65 will take place in a hybrid format with mostly virtual meetings.

Representatives of Member States, UN entities, and ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from all regions of the world are invited to attend the session.

Read more.

 

OECD Webinar on Water Governance in African Cities

 

A contribution to the 9th World Water Forum (Dakar, March 2022) preparatory process, this high-level session will raise the profile of Mayors and City leaders in enhancing water security in Africa, building on the evidence and guidance from two new OECD reports on Water Governance in African Cities and Water Governance in Cape Town, South Africa, prepared as a follow-up to the King Hassan II Great World Water Prize granted to the OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría in 2018. This session will conclude with the launch of a new OECD/UCLG-Africa Roundtable of African Mayors for Water Security. Read more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

World Water Day, held on 22 March every year since 1993, focuses on the importance of freshwater.

World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis. A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.

More information here.

The 2021 Retreat will take to heart the message that UCLG A Global Community that Cares. The discussions that will take place during the week-long gathering will aim at showcasing how our communities are working for the people, for the planet, for government, and for the future.

The UCLG Annual Retreat is a week-long gathering that provides an opportunity for the keynotes of the organization and partners to define synergies and develop actions in line with the work plans set out by the governing bodies. In 2021, it will take place on-line over the course of six days: 15-22 February.

Read More here.