CLGF has signed a MOU with Microsoft for 2016-20, and agreed a programme of work for 2016-17, the first such longer term corporate partnership with a private sector partner.

Microsoft has collaborated with CLGF for more than a decade by supporting and participating in CLGF’s biennial conferences, but this is the first time that both parties have come together to take forward joint activities in the context of localising the SDGs, monitoring their implementation and supporting cities, local authorities, LGAs and ministries of local government to better use ICT to enhance democratic accountability.

The joint work programme for 2016-17 will be announced during the 2016 CSCN meeting in London. Microsoft’s Managing Director, International Organisations – Worldwide Public Sector David Burrows, will be presenting on the growing relevance of ICT in governance and service delivery and ways in which cities are using ICT to address local challenges at a session on smart cities at the CSCN meeting on 13 July.