CLGF is delighted to announce that the next Commonwealth Local Government Conference (CLGF 2023) will take place in Kigali, Rwanda from 14-17 November 2023. 

This exciting event is being organised by CLGF in partnership with our hosts, the Government of Rwanda through MINALOC and the Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities (RALGA). We look forward to welcoming colleagues from across the Commonwealth and beyond to Kigali in November. 

Unique opportunity to come together

Normally held every two years, the Commonwealth Local Government Conference, is a key event in the international local government calendar. It offers a unique opportunity for local government stakeholders to come together to learn about the latest policy developments, share and exchange ideas and experiences. It provides a unique platform for local government ministers and ministry representatives; elected local government leaders, including city mayors; senior officials and key partners from across the Commonwealth to come together to agree new policies for the sector, for CLGF and for the wider Commonwealth. 

Theme of building resilience

Given the recent experiences that local government has had to overcome, and the major challenges that lie ahead, the theme of the 2023 conference will be Building local government resilience to future shocks and will focus on ensuring that local government is empowered and has the skills and capacity in place to ensure sustainable development at a time of significant national and global challenges. 

The event will consist of plenary and panel sessions bringing together high-level speakers, experts, and practitioners. Delegates will have the opportunity to share and debate issues in smaller working group sessions. Colleagues in Rwanda will be offering study visits for delegates to see innovative projects on the ground, in and around Kigali.

There will be opportunities for networking and making the best use of the expertise and experiences of members of the Commonwealth local government family. The outcomes of the Conference will be shared at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa and will help shape CLGF and its members’ programmes and activities in supporting sustainable local development and ensuring no-one and no place is left behind. 

Exchange of experience

Hon Jean Claude Musabyimana, Rwanda Minister for Local Government said: "Rwanda, as the current chair of the Commonwealth Heads of States and Governments (CHOGM), is honoured to host the Commonwealth Local Government Forum high-level conference – a year after we successfully hosted CHOGM 2022. Since then, we have been focusing on thorough preparations for the CLGF conference. We expect this conference to serve as an opportunity for Rwanda and Commonwealth local governments member states, ministries and local government associations to exchange experiences and best practices amongst themselves."

CLGF Chair, Rev Mpho Moruakgomo said: “We have achieved a great deal though virtual meetings and we have been meeting in-person across our regions, but it is high time that we come together to connect as a Forum. We are looking forward to welcoming a broad range of diverse stakeholders to be part of our Conference. The theme could not be more important to local government, whatever the size or location and we are delighted to include expert and experienced speakers from many relevant disciplines, representing all parts of the Commonwealth in our programme. I know that our delegates will receive a very warm welcome in Kigali and will look forward to engaging with their counterparts and hearing more about innovations at the local level in Rwanda and in countries across the Commonwealth.” 

Conference website to follow

This is the first Commonwealth Local Government Conference since the Pandemic, and we look forward to bringing together the Commonwealth local government community in Kigali for a successful event. Please save the date in your calendar and we will be launching formally and sharing more details about the Conference and how to book your place when we go live with our conference website next week.