The Executive Director of the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA), Mr. Abdallah Anati, held two separate meetings with the Beitin Village Council and Al Sawiya Village Council. The meetings were attended by Mr. Tareq Hamed, Mayor of the Beitin Village Council, and Mr. Hikmat Abu Ras, Mayor of Al Sawiya Village Council, along with their accompanying delegations, in addition to Mr. Abd Al-Moamen Affaneh, Director of the Technical and Legal Support Unit at APLA, and Ms. Sundus Qawasmeh, Director of the Communication and Advocacy Unit. The meetings were held as part of APLA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation and discuss areas of joint collaboration.

During the meeting with Beitin Village Council, discussions focused on the council’s development and service priorities, as well as mechanisms for cooperation with APLA to support its efforts in improving services provided to citizens. APLA was also briefed on the council’s efforts to integrate and further develop the Joint Services Council within a more effective institutional framework. In addition, both sides highlighted the importance of institutionalizing community initiatives and ensuring their sustainability to maximize their impact on the local community.

During the meeting with the Al Sawiya Village Council, the two sides discussed the current status and importance of development projects in the village, as well as ways to improve the council’s financial performance. They also reviewed a number of issues related to the water and solid waste management sectors with the aim of enhancing the quality of services provided to citizens. Furthermore, the meeting addressed the importance of implementing community initiatives, strengthening their sustainability, and reinforcing coordination between APLA and local authorities to support the council’s institutional development efforts.

For his part, Mr. Anati highlighted APLA’s role in empowering LGUs through technical and institutional support, capacity building, knowledge exchange, and the promotion of international partnerships and twinning initiatives. He also reaffirmed APLA’s commitment to advocating for the interests of LGUs and representing them at various levels, while emphasizing the importance of institutionalizing community initiatives and ensuring their sustainability in support of local economic and social development.

These meetings form part of APLA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen direct communication with local authorities, gain a better understanding of their needs and priorities, and support the enhancement of their institutional performance and the quality of services provided to citizens.