The President of the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities "APLA", Abdelkarim Al-Zubeidi, conducted a meeting with the Director General of the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, Bader Sa'd. The aim of the meeting was to discuss means of enhancing the joint efforts for supporting and developing the Palestinian local authorities, empowering them to support and aid Palestinian citizens, and enhance their steadfastness and resilience in their Palestinian cities, towns and villages. This came as part of an official visit Al-Zubeidi had to the HQ of the Arab Fund for Development in Kuwait.
Al-Zubeidi explained the general political and economic situation of Palestinian local authorities, pointing out the continued violations of the occupation against our Palestinian people, their land and holy sites, in addition to the financial crises suffered by the local authorities under these tough and complicated circumstances.
On another note, Sa'd praised the role played by local authorities in Palestine in light of the particularity of the Palestinian case and the difficult political situation, emphasizing the continuation of the Arab Fund for Development's efforts to support Palestinian local authorities in order to implement projects that support the development strategies of the local authorities on one hand, and creates a political impact supportive of the Palestinian rights, which supports their local authorities in providing holistic and sustainable services on the other hand.
Moreover, both parties discussed the potential horizons for cooperation between APLA and the Fund, as well as the possibility of implementing joint projects and supporting APLA at the institutional level in order to enhance its capacities, based on its role in representing local authorities, and defending them using all means and tools of lobbying and advocacy, in addition to its role in enhancing the performance of local authorities through training and exchange programs.
Al-Zubeidi conducted several meetings with a group of institutions and organizations with the aim of presenting APLA's efforts and discussing means and plans of cooperation and future development that aim to realize benefit for Palestinian local authorities.