CLGF is delighted to participate in the high level meeting about the European Union’s support for development cooperation, taking place in Brussels, Belgium from 8 to 10 December.

Critical contribution 

The Forum Cities and Regions for international partnerships - Localising Global Gateway is co-organised by the Committee of the Regions and the European Commission DG INTP. The 9th edition of the forum, it will highlight the critical contribution of local and regional authorities to the Global Gateway strategy

CLGF is represented at the meeting by Mayor Bernard Wagner, CLGF Chairperson and Mayor of Belize City, Belize; Hon Dr Samuel !Oe-Amseb, Association of Local Authorities of Namibia (ALAN); Ravi Ranjan Kumar, Deputy Director of the All India Institute of Local Self Government (AIILSG); Hadrod Mkandawire, Secretary General of Malawi Local Government Association (MALGA); and Lucy Slack and Claire Frost – CLGF Secretary-General and Head of Programmes, respectively.

Essential partner

Working together with the other Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA) partners, CLGF is promoting and highlighting the important role of local government as an essential partner in localising and delivering Global Gateway. The meeting has focused on commitments to include local government as lead organisations in Global Gateway investments, opportunities for local government in the EU’s 360degree approach to investments, decentralised cooperation or city to city cooperation, partnering with the private sector and operating in fragile contexts.

Engagement with local government

CLGF Chairperson, Mayor Wagner, will be one of four mayors who will give a closing address to reinforce the importance of decentralisation and engagement with local government in all aspects of Global Gateway to connect investments and benefits with local communities.

Decentralisation for practical exchange

CLGF Secretary-General, Lucy Slack, said: “Local government is an integral partner in development and must be empowered to be part of the planning and delivery of global Gateway initiatives to ensure that the local dimension is reflected and benefits are maximised in local communities. Decentralised cooperation is one mechanism to provide opportunities for practical exchange between practitioners to strengthen the governance and enabling environment for sustainable investment and development.  CLGF working with its partner international networks is highlighting the importance of a strategic engagement between the EU and local government as he Global Gateway approach is rolled out, in line with the commitment to the 360 degree approach”