November 27 marked the official launch for hosting the Commonwealth Local Government Conference planned for June next year in Gaborone.

The conference, which would be the Commonwealth Local Government Forum's (CLGF) flagship event, will bring together top policy makers in local government from across the world. It is held every two years in different regions and Commonwealth countries, while Botswana will be hosting it for the first time in 2015

Speaking at the launch, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Slumber Tsogwane said the event provided an opportunity for its members and other key players in local government to share knowledge and ideas on topical issues, developments and best practice in local policies and research.

He said the conference would provide unique networking opportunities for local government leaders, ministers and officials.

"The conference comes at a critical time just before the announcement of the final UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and it will look at the challenges for local government in helping to deliver the targets and vision that they convey to meet the SDG 2030 target," he said.

The outcomes and recommendations of the conference will be used by CLGF's members in the 53 countries of the Commonwealth. It will also help them develop their own policies, roadmap and vision to implement the SDGs and meet the future challenges with the support of GLGF and other international organisations.

They will also be presented to the Commonwealth Heads of Government at their meeting in Malta in November next year.CLGF has supported local political empowerment, decentralisation and good intergovernmental relations; strengthened the institutional capacity of many members to help them improve structures and services.