At the occasion of the UCLG World Council in The Hague, the CIB working group organized a roundtable discussion on the topic of development cooperation and local government’s added value for sustainable investment planning. A panel reflecting a diverse set of stakeholders active in the international development sector shed light on the vital role of local governments in addressing global infrastructure challenges, particularly in the context of development cooperation and investment for sustainable growth. Dr. Neila Akrimi, Chair of the CIB working group, moderated the roundtable discussion and connected the experts' contributions.
Development Cooperation and the inclusion of local authorities
Amandine Sabourin (Policy Officer, European Centre for Development Policy Management) opened the session by highlighting the need for an inclusive dialogue within the EU Global Gateway strategy, noting that local governments are often missing in global development strategies, despite their key role in ensuring that projects address the needs of local communities. Amandine also emphasized the potential of the Team Europe approach to create more strategic partnerships and ensure that local governments are recognized as essential actors in sustainable development.
Don Locke (Senior Advisor, US State Department)demonstrated a best practice of how the US State Department shapes the dialogue with local authorities by establishing a special office. This office connects the US State Department to local communities and recognizes their crucial role for achieving sustainable infrastructure.
The role of Development Banks and Inclusive Financing
Alfonso Garcia (Associated Expert, VNG International) and Lara Muller (Director Public Sector, Invest International) discussed the evolving role of development banks in becoming development partners. Development banks hold the ability to connect various stakeholders and ensure that investments align with social and environmental standards. Private capital must be directed toward more inclusive projects. Muller pointed out that projects that are not inclusive are less profitable and stressed the importance of collaborating with local authorities.
Jelte van Wieren (Director Africa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) addressed Africa’s rapidly growing urban landscape and how local and regional governments hold the potential to be a driving force in strengthening connections between the EU and the African continent. Nonetheless, a challenge was raised about the accessibility for grassroot initiatives to funding such as the Global Gateway. Many local projects work with volunteers and lack the capacity to do the extensive paperwork required for funding applications. Van Wieren advocated to keep addressing this issue and make the lines of communication open.
Aligning Investment with Local Strategies
The importance of aligning investments with local strategies was further underscored by Boris Tonhauser (Director, Platforma) and Renske Steenbergen (Deputy Director, VNG International). Local and regional governments need to be capable of taking charge of developing their own projects and infrastructure. Partnerships need to be established that can be mutually beneficial in the long run.
Closing remarks were provided by Gaby Senay (Director International Programs, Federation of Canadian Municipalities). In her closing statement, the Co-chair of the CIB working group, addressed ‘the elephant in the room’- climate change - and the importance of resilient infrastructure to ensure that these structures endure in a rapidly changing world. The CIB working group session at the UCLG World Council reflected the importance of having an inclusive dialogue and collaborative approach towards building sustainable infrastructure. CIB will continue its efforts to support local authorities in their crucial role in this process and unlock its full potential.