The Association of Palestinian Local Authorities participated in the 6th Conference of the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) held in Durban, South Africa. This participation followed the election of the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities as President of UCLG for the Middle East and West Asia UCLG-MEWA. The Association’s President, Mr. Musa Hadid, and the Executive Director of the Association, Mr. Abdullah Anati, as well as seven members of the Association, representing the Palestinian municipalities that are members of UCLG-MEWA participated in the conference as representatives of the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities.
The President of the Association Mr. Hadid participated in many events of the conference, where he presented the special position paper of UCLG-MEWA in his capacity as President of UCLG-MEWA during the meeting of the General Assembly of the branch of UCLG – MEWA. Mr. Hadid presented a paper on the challenges related to water issues in Palestine, and solutions local authorities in Palestine are pursuing to overcome this crisis. Mr. Hadid also took part in drafting a policy paper on "informalization of cities," particularly the challenges of the large increase in the population of cities and the resulting challenges for municipalities in issues of service delivery and infrastructure. Mr. Hadid, along with with south African Defense Minister, and a group of ministers and the President of UCLG, participated in the launch of the global "Plant Trees Not Bombs" campaign, which aims to spread the message of peace and end war.
During his participation in the special session of the general managers of local authorities’ associations around the world, the Executive Director of APLA, Mr. Anati, presented the vision of APLA on the future roles of the associations in policy-making issues in particular, and the role of associations around the world in strengthening partnerships among members. Mr. Anati also presented proposed funding mechanisms in the coming years. He also presented the challenges facing the adoption and implementation of the sustainable development agenda at the local level, and the Association’s programs for the adoption and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in Palestine.
Mr. Hadid and Mr. Anati and the participating Palestinian municipalities participated in the meetings of the General Assembly, the World Council and the Executive Office of the UCLG. The presidential bodies of UCLG were re-elected for the period 2019-2022 during the conference, where the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities was elected as a member of the Executive Bearue of UCLG, along with the mayor of Asira Al-Shamaliyi, Hazem Yassin, and the mayor of Bani Naim Ali Manasra. The Association was also elected as a member of the world council of UCLG, along with the mayor of Asira Al-Shamaliyi Hazem Yassin, the mayor of Bani Naeem Ali Manasra, the mayor of Hebron, Tayseer Abu Sneina, the mayor of Ramallah, Musa Hadid, the mayor of Nablus, Samih Tbeleh, the mayor of Beit Sahour Jihad Khair, and the mayor of Tafooh Mahmoud Arzikat.
The president of the Moroccan Association of Municipalities, Mayor of Al-Haseema, Mohammad Boudra, was elected as president of UCLG.
