Local government in the Pacific has a clear developmental focus and a key role in encouraging local economic development and in addressing climate change and responding to disasters, according to delegates at the recent 2014 Pacific Local Government Forum which was held in Port Moresby from 19-23 May.

The theme of the conference was Pacific futures: building our local communities. The event was hosted by Ministry of Intergovernmental Relations, Papua New Guinea. Speakers included PNG Prime Minister Hon Peter O’Neil and CLGF Patron and Prime Minister of Tuvalu Hon Enele Sopoaga, Solomon Islands Deputy PM Hon Manasseh Maelanga, the PNG Minister for Intergovernmental Relations Hon Leo Dion, the Governor of the National Capital District Hon Powes Parkop along with CLGF Chairperson Mayor Lawrence Yule and CLGF Secretary-General Carl Wright.

Delegates agreed a set of recommendation in the Port Moresby Declaration on Pacific futures: building our local communities and agreed that they would take action to implement the recommendations in their own states and local governments.  They highlighted that:

• local governments should have adequate capacity to deliver services effectively;
• good data and exchange of information is critical to help plan, manage, priorities and monitor services;
• intergovernmental relations is a priority for central and local governments;
• local government has a clear role in promoting and encouraging local economic development and the informal economy;
• local government has a critical role in addressing climate change adaptation and responding to disaster as part of an integrated approach with better national, regional and international coordination;
• local government has a broader developmental role particularly in small states due to geographic dispersion, vulnerability and limited capacity and infrastructure.

The importance of a regional voice and regional coordination and support through organisations such as CLGF Pacific and the Pacific Islands Local Government Association Network (PILGAN) was also noted. The declaration points out the unique challenges and needs of small island developing states (SIDS) and of rural and remote local governments and notes that CLGF’s work in the Pacific is designed to support members in the region to address these issues.

Speaking at the conference CLGF Patron Tuvalu Prime Minister Hon Enele Sopoaga said that the adverse impacts of climate change and natural disasters threaten to offset development gains in a number of SIDS, and the role of governments and local governments as set out in the Port Moresby Declaration needs to be put forward to the SIDS meeting in Apia in September 2014.

Delegates also agreed that local governments in the region should be directly engaged in relevant regional and local processes such as localising the SDGs, and this will require further capacity-building. CLGF Chairperson Mayor Lawrence Yule who spoke at the opening session and welcomed delegates to PNG said, “Local governments in the Pacific need to position themselves for the post-2015 development agenda. We must all take account of global processes and trends. We must learn, understand and make those processes and trends relevant to the local communities we serve so that we are prepared to meet future challenges. Local government is in a critical position to mobilise local people and other local stakeholders behind the new development goals and has the potential to ensure effective and sustainable implementation of all targets.”

Regional Director of CLGF Pacific Karibaiti Taoaba said, “The Declaration provides a policy framework for the work of CLGF Pacific for the next two years and beyond and it should be brought to the attention of the PIF,  SIDS and other key events in the region.” 
CLGF has had an active programme working with local governments in the Pacific since 2005, supported by development partners in the region including AusAID, New Zealand Aid Programme, the European Union, and UN agencies such as the UNDP.