CLGF has been working hard for months on the 2017 Commonwealth Local Government Conference, in addition to business as usual. Last week, Secretary-General Dr Greg Munro was out in Malta for the final preparations, including a press conference to explain what the conference is all about and why it's important for local government across the Commonwealth.

This week, Deputy Secretary-General and veteran of many conferences, Lucy Slack, has been working with the team to finalise all the materials to be shipped out to Malta. This is where CLGF staff from the London headquarters and our regional offices will gather together to ensure everything is in place.  

The biennial conferences are important not just because the outcomes feed into high level discussions and can influence development work; but because it is an amazing opportunity to have so many distinguished and knowledgeable experts, practitioners and decision makers in one place, to share good practice and debate ideas.

The theme: Fit for the future: resources and capacity for effective local government - is a vital topic if local government is to play its important role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Through plenary sessions and working groups, we want to hear about the innovative ways local government is financing its work - new ways of raising revenue, increasing capacity and making efficiency savings by doing things in a different way.

Before the main conference, academics will gather for the Research Colloquium; and young people involved in local government will join the Young Leaders' Forum. We are also launching the Commonwealth Women in Local Government Network, which aims to support the development of women in all areas.

Following the Conference's opening ceremony, the Maltese Prime Minister Hon Dr Joseph Muscat will formally open the exhibition in the historic and imposing Sacra Infermeria Hall. With a number of organisations showcasing products and services, we hope you will visit the CLGF stand, meet the staff, and tell us more about yourselves.

Follow the conference on the special twitter handle - @CLGC2017