UCLGA participates in the African Regional Dialogue on Governance, for the Post-2015 Development Agenda

This 11 – 12 October, in Johannesburg, South Africa, a first dialogue took place as part of the global thematic consultation on governance, as part of the post-2015 development agenda process. This African Regional Dialogue was hosted by the Pan-African Parliament and saw the participation of a wide base of stakeholder from government and civil society.  

The governance consultation, led by UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR), focuses on governance systems and accountability mechanisms, and particularly on fostering transparency, strengthening public institutions and human resource capacities, improving regulatory frameworks, and preventing corruption.

United Cities and Local Governments took part in this meeting of key stakeholders and presented a position paper on local governance as a cornerstone of good governance in Africa (Click here for the full position paper). Key issues highlighted in the two day meeting were the need to recognize governance as a transversal issue with an impact on all aspects of the MDG and Post-2015 development agenda, with inclusive and participatory governance essential at all levels. Also stressed was the important role to played in the delivery of the development goals by all levels of governing institutions (African Union, Regional Economic Communities, National and Local Governments). Participants also called for a pro-poor approach to the post 2015 development goals as while the MDGs have resulted in the reduction of poverty (by half), incidents of extreme poverty remains very high, with 1 billion poor people predicted by 2015.  

The governance consultation is one of 11 global, public thematic consultations being coordinated by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) as part of a “global conversation” on the post-2015 development agenda, which will be ongoing until early 2013.

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