25/09/2018
Commonwealth Local Government Forum 2019- Official Launch Ceremony
The Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) is an associated organization of the Commonwealth with specific focus on matters pertaining to Local Government. It was founded and endorsed at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 1995. It received official recognition as an Associated Commonwealth Organization of elected representatives in 2003. The CLGF has also officially been recognized by many of the UN agencies including UN Habitat, UNDP and other international organizations.
As an associate organization of the Commonwealth, it purports to enhance the voice of Local Government structures and ensures better connectivity and support within the Commonwealth framework. The development work of the CLGF can be divided into three categories primarily:
1. Promotion and advocacy of local democracy and good governance
2. Exchange of experience
3. Capacity building
The CLGF’s Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Network (CSCN) is a strong city to city network within the Commonwealth framework that connects mayors and many Local Government representatives. It helps improve the pace of urbanization and development. The CSCN maintains a strong focus on the following areas:
1. Devolution of power and good governance
2. Urban trade and investment in cities
3. Building smart cities
4. City inclusiveness and resilience
The Commonwealth draws strength from its prominent membership including key players in the Commonwealth region. The forum currently comprises 21 appointed members of various ranks from Central, Provincial and Local Government structures with representation from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe. The CLGF is considered the largest Pre-CHOGM Commonwealth event.
The CLGF brings together Heads of Government, Ministers, Mayors, Elected representatives of Local Government, senior officials and other professionals among others at a biennial conference under its banner, ‘Commonwealth Local Government Forum’. The last Commonwealth Local Government Forum was held in 2017 in Valetta, Malta under the theme ‘Fit for the future: Resources and capacity for effective Local Government’.
The Ministry of Provincial Councils, Local Government and Sports is proud to announce that Colombo, Sri Lanka shall host the forthcoming Commonwealth Local Government Forum in 2019. Sri Lanka had placed a bid to host the event together with Belfast, Ireland and Kigali, Rwanda and the hosting rights was eventually awarded to Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The event is scheduled to happen between 11th and 14th of June, 2019 under the theme “Citizen centered Local Government: Driving inclusive social and economic change”. Sri Lanka shall host the Annual General Meeting and the International Conference of the CLGF with an anticipated participation in excess of 600 attendees. The venue for the event will be the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH).
The CLGF is expected to bring with it a tremendous boost in the tourism sector, and will also include a private sector exhibition to showcase the skills and specialities of Sri Lankans.
Sri Lanka’s Local Government structure, has been a strong focal point of the incumbent Government, has witnessed a multitude of changes in recent years. The ward based system and mandatory women representation introduced through the Ministry of Provincial Councils, Local Government and Sports, has not only ensured affirmative action among candidates and voters, but has also transformed the Local Government structures into truly citizen based platforms.
The CLGF 2019 will enable Sri Lanka to share experiences and learn from other professionals, which will help mould the Local Government structure to be further strengthened and empowered to champion the cause of the future.
25/09/2018
12/09/2018