Inaugural meeting of the East African Local Government Forum: Platform for dialogue on decentralisation and local government in East Africa

The inaugural meeting of the East Africa Local Government Forum (EALGF) was held in Arusha, Tanzania, this 24-25 September. This important forum is a new step forward in support of decentralisation in the region, brought together Ministers and Permanent Secretaries of Local Government, Presidents/Chairpersons and Secretaries General of the local government associations of the East African Community (EAC), including the East African Local Government Association (EALGA).

Over 80 delegates participated in this first meeting, representing the countries of the EAC as well as observers from Zambia and South Sudan. A keynote address was given by Hon Dr Asha-Rose Migiro, former Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations. The Forum was closed by the HE Secretary General of the EACDr. Richard Sezibera, who stressed the important role of local government in the process of regional integration. 

As the process of regional integration moves forward the Forum will provide a platform bringing together key stakeholders from local and central government, towards strengthening good governance, advancing the harmonisation of national policies and ensuring the ability of local governments to meet their responsibilities to citizens.

The Forum will feed into the EAC to ensure that local government is an established sphere of government within the EAC and will debate policy issues on decentralisation and facilitate exchange of knowledge, information and best practices in the region and beyond.

UCLG Africa  President, Chairperson of EALGA,  Cllr T Kores, said:

"EALGA underscores the important roles played by local governments and local authorities in promoting the success and sustainability of the EAC, and appreciates the support given to local government in the framework of the EALGF."

The initiative to establish the Forum was supported by East African Local Governments Association (EALGA), UCLG, and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF). It was cofounded by the European Commission in the framework of the project "Supporting Decentralization in Developing Countries" lead by UCLG.