The launch of the high-level national conference entitled Reform and Empowerment of Local Administration
The launch of the high-level national conference entitled Reform and Empowerment of Local Administration
The state has adopted a set of social and development programs in recent years to achieve comprehensive, sustainable development, out of its belief that the human being is the focus of development. Last Thursday, November 27, the National Conference was launched under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, entitled Reforming and Empowering Local Administration: Lessons Learned from the Local Development Program in Upper Egypt.
300 Minister and international official
More than 300 ministers, leaders, officials and experts from inside and outside Egypt participated in the conference, which was organized by the Ministry of Local Development with a number of ministries, including representatives of ministries and governorates, international financial institutions, civil society institutions, international organizations, the private sector, and national and international experts, to discuss ways to strengthen partnerships and support the path of decentralization and sustainable local development.
The first phase of the Upper Egypt Development Program
The first phase of the Upper Egypt Development Program was completed with support from the World Bank, which constituted a qualitative shift in the local planning and resource management system, which relies on applying a methodology based on community participation, management by results, and improving the quality of services.
The program has laid solid foundations for the integrated national model that aims to strengthen local governance and spatial economic development, which can be built upon and expanded to include all governorates of the Republic.
Pioneer development projects
An exhibition was held on the sidelines of the conference that includes a distinguished group of exhibits that reflect the Egyptian heritage culture and identity of Upper Egypt, in addition to a group of development projects aimed at developing economic blocs and industrial zones and improving infrastructure andpublic facilities in a way that works to provide an investment climate that attracts foreign investments and achieves comprehensive sustainable development.
The conference will also present the achievements of the first phase of the program, as well as discuss the national decentralization strategy and its implementation methodology based on the lessons learned from the program, in support of institutional reform efforts and empowering local units to plan, manage resources, and stimulate regional economic development.
Preparation for launching the second phase
The conference is a platform for an in-depth national and international dialogue on the future of local administration, and highlights cross-cutting topics including local planning, self-resource development, adaptation to climate change, private sector involvement, and integrated financing according to local policies.
Based on the above, the conference represents a pivotal point towards launching the second phase concerned with local economic development that targets sustainable public investments and enhancing the financial independence of local units throughout the Republic, in a way that supports the building of a participatory and effective local administration capable of leading sustainable and green development.
Determining the features of the next stage
The conference outlines the features of the next stage and its scientific steps to ensure a sustainable program directed at comprehensive institutional reform, and strengthening partnerships with development partners and the private sector to support the path of decentralization and sustainable local development.
The conference included a group of sessions on empowering local administration and promoting economic growth through strategic partnerships and innovative financing. It also included a session to discuss improving services and developing local infrastructure and public services from the perspective of decentralization and citizen-centered local governance, enhancing local competitiveness, and reviewing the lessons, achievements and next steps for local economic development in Egypt.
Based on the above, it became clear the extent of the Egyptian government’s interest in developing local administrations, border governorates, and Upper Egypt in support of comprehensive, sustainable development and its various dimensions, which is what theThe Earth Guards Foundation calls for, and that the comprehensive development movement should not be limited to Cairo and Lower Egypt only and include the governorates of Upper Egypt and the other governorates. Border.
