The Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) held a consultative meeting with the Taskforce of Financial Directors at local government units (LGUs) to discuss upcoming priorities in the context of enhancing LGU autonomy and advancing the process of power transfer from the central government, keeping abreast of reform requirements in the local government sector.

The meeting brought together APLA’s Executive Director, Eng. Abdallah Anati, as well as several LGU financial directors, including Rif’at Quneibi from Hebron Municipality, Lida Abu al-Huda from Nablus Municipality, Walid al-Khatib from Beit Jala Municipality, Mousa Abu Sube’iah from Jericho Municipality, Iyad Abu Sharkh from Al-Dhahiriya Municipality, Rania Id’eis from Dura Municipality, Nadim Hamayel from Beita Municipality, and Eng. Abdul Mu’min Afaneh, Director of APLA Technical and Legal Support Unit.

Participants discussed recent developments related to the national project supporting reform efforts in the local government sector, placing a particular focus on reviewing progress in assessing the feasibility and applicability of decentralization strategies, expanding the exercise of functions legally mandated to LGUs, and identifying ways to increase LGU administrative and financial autonomy. Deliberations also addressed the potential delegation of centrally managed services to LGUs, as well as strengthening their role in investment, industry, and agriculture.

This meeting was convened in parallel with national efforts led by the National Decentralization Team and a part of APLA’s commitment to supporting the development of the local government framework and reinforcing LGU legal and institutional standing. Discussions with the Taskforce of Financial Directors are expected to continue in future meetings to further explore the technical and institutional details related to power transfer and enhancement of LGU financial and administrative independence in line with APLA’s vision for achieving qualitative and sustainable reform in the local government sector across Palestine.