 The 2013 Commonwealth Heads
of Government Meeting (CHOGM), held in Colombo from 15-17 November, formally
recognised the role which local government can play in enhancing the exercise
of democratic governance and promoting economic development. Commonwealth
leaders endorsed local government’s role in the post-2015 development
agenda as set out in the outcomes of the recent CLGF Kampala
conference. Mayor Yule said, “The high level mandate given to
developmental local government and its role in the post-2015 development
agenda represents the most significant international political mandate which
I recall local go vernment has ever received. It provides a sound building
block for our efforts to ensure local government has a clear place in the
UN’s post 2015 agenda, including in respect of the setting, implementation
and monitoring of local development targets. The meeting was chaired by
President Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka and was addressed by HRH Prince Charles on
behalf of the Head of the Commonwealth. CLGF delegation to CHOGM composed of
Chairperson Mayor Lawrence Yule, Board member Mayor Mohamed Hilmy and
Secretary-General Carl Wright. The delegation observed the Foreign Ministers’
Meeting and the Ministerial Meeting on Small States, participated in a
consultation between Foreign Ministers and Commonwealth Associated
Organisations (AOs), which was addressed by Mayor Yule, in addition to
attending the CHOGM Opening Ceremony. They also made contact with a wide
range of Heads of Governments, Ministers, senior officials as well as Sri
Lankan local government counterparts. Read
more |
Local government around the
Commonwealth
Jamaica: Local government month
 The Ministry of Local
Government and Community Development headed by CLGF Board member Minister
Neol Arscott along with the Social Development Commission celebrated November
as the Local Government and Community Month under the theme ‘A Prosperous
Economy Starts with My Community’. The theme is based on the ministry’s
inclination towards Local Economic Development, which is currently being
actively facilitated through the implementation of the Caribbean Local
Economic Development Programme (CARILED). This initiative will help promote
the role of local government in facilitating community empowerment and
self-reliance by harnessing local resources and accessing external resources
to stimulate economic growth. Read
more |
Mozambique: Municipal
elections
 Local
elections were held on 20 November in 53 municipalities in Mozambique to
elect mayors and local assemblies. The preliminary results are in the process
of being verified by the National Elections Commission and shall be announced
after being validated by the Constitutional Council. |
