CLGF made an important contribution to the initial preparatory meeting for the 4th World LED Forum which will take place next October in Cabo Verde.  
At the Executive meeting held on 10 April in Brussels, CLGF Secretary-General Greg Munro gave full support to the main themes of the upcoming 4th LED Forum – namely using LED to achieve equality, equity and cohesion, especially since this emphasises the focus on local communities.
Dr Munro explained that of particular interest to CLGF is the sub theme on entrepreneurship, private sector engagement and SME roles, as well as financial models and tools. This area closely relates to CLGF’s own conference in Malta in November 2017, which will look at innovative ways of resourcing local government for delivery and SDG implementation at a local level. 

CLGF supports focus on Small Island Developing States
Another important area is Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and CLGF has agreed to support the Cabo Verde government in coordinating the sessions around this special focus, given the high proportion of SIDS within the Commonwealth states and the Commonwealth SIDS centre of excellence which has been established in Malta.
Dr Munro confirmed CLGF’s interest in this Forum because of its established experience in LED across Africa and Southern Asia; its wide membership and access to SIDS; and its unique Board structure which represents both national and local governments (and thus has strong convening power in many countries). CLGF itself has an agenda to deepen its LED work to include private sector leverage, innovative partnerships, access to micro-finance and social enterprises, which is included in this LED Forum.
Dr Munro was able to call on CLGF’s long history and practical experience of LED to formulate a position on the localisation of the SDGs with other stakeholders. He used examples of LED projects to demonstrate some of the key issues that should be raised at the Forum; these included sustainable waste management, climate smart gardens, gender and access of women to markets, poverty relief and partnership with national governments and the private sector.