The Administrative Committee of the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities "APLA" convened a meeting to discuss the draft Strategic Plan 2023-2027, in order to draft a strategy responsive to the needs of local authorities and their working priorities, through engaging them during the planning phase. Such will enhance their ownership over the document, their loyalty and commitment towards APLA its plans and strategies. The meeting was attended by APLA's President, Abdelkarim Al-Zubeidi, members of the administrative committee, the Executive Director, Eng. Abdullah Anati, and APLA's executive staff.
APLA's President, Al-Zubeidi, emphasized APLA's commitment to ensure the participation of local authorities in drafting these plans, to be the compass directing APLA's work over the upcoming period, consolidating its image as a key player in the local governance sector, representing the local authorities and their priorities in various fields. This is attainable through enhancing APLA's role, realizing its vision and mission in harmony with the needs and aspirations of local authorities in Palestine. Furthermore, Al-Zubeidi added that this document will allow APLA to enhance the level of representation of local authorities in Palestine, as well as providing them with support, and defend their rights and interests locally and internationally.
APLA's Executive Director, Eng. Anati, presented a summary on the key achievements APLA realized during the implementation of the previous Strategic Plan 2019-2022, especially with regards to the institutionalization of its work and bylaws, as well as building partnerships with donor organizations, and the implementation of various programs and projects. In addition, enhancing the relationship between APLA and its international and local members and partners, emphasizing APLA's continuous endeavor to enhance its role through a clear system, consistent principles and accurate action plan for the upcoming years.
Strategic planning experts, Osama Saleh and Suleiman Dae'ifi, gave a detailed presentation of the first draft of the Strategic Plan, discussing the desired goals and all the programs designed to achieve them. It is worth noting that APLA's action program focuses on enhancing the level of governance within APLA and contributing to the empowerment of local authorities to provide fair and inclusive services to the citizens, in addition to representing and defending the interests of local authorities and their issues on both national and international levels.
Members of the administrative committee confirmed their full commitment to APLA's stances and decision, support of its efforts concerning enhancing the jurisdiction of local authorities in Palestine, emphasizing that APLA has to represent all local authorities in Palestine, express their positions and directions before all parties. Moreover, they discuss the main challenges faced by local authorities while discussing the detailed aspects of the plan to guarantee listing them on APLA's program and work priorities as specified in the Strategic Plan.
The meeting of the administrative committee was convened to discuss APLA's Strategic Plan as part of the outcomes of APLA's Multi-Annual Action Plan "MAAP", mainly funded by the EU, and as part of a series of meetings and gatherings convened over the past period with APLA's executive staff, a group of local authorities, partners and experts as well as stakeholders.
