CLGF Chairperson Cllr Rev Mpho MBW Moruakgomo and Secretary-General Dr Greg Munro participated in the European Partnership Forum 2018 which took place in Brussels on 25 and 26 June. 

Organised by the European Commission, the forum’s main objectives are to stimulate an open dialogue; strengthen and deepen partnerships between the EU, civil society and local authorities; and enable partners to effectively localise the Sustainable Development Goals. The event also aims to offer a platform to share information and good practices.

The first day of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the Framework Partnership Agreements (FPAs). Dr Greg Munro took part in a panel about Refining the Partnerships looking at how to work better together. CLGF Chairperson Cllr Rev Mpho MBW Moruakgomo took part in the panel discussion about the New Urban Agenda on the second day, looking at ways in which the EC, civil society and local government can work more effectively together towards Agenda 2030.

Increasing synergies

Dr Munro said: “It is good to have this opportunity to network and increase the synergies between the partners and the European Commission, creating more ways for local government to contribute to Agenda 2030.”

Director-General Stefano Manservisi from the DG for International Cooperation and Development opened the event, followed by sessions on refining partnerships and public trust and transparency and accountability addressing sexual exploitation and abuse cases. The second day will consist of talks on the New Urban Agenda, resilience, climate change, peace and security and decentralised development.

Other partners attending the Forum included Platforma, UCLG and AIMF.