Dubai will host the fourth meeting of the UN Advisory Committee of Local Authorities during 18-19 February 2002, the Dubai Municipality has announced. Munther Akram Juma, Head of the Foreign Relations and Organizations Office at Dubai Municipality said the city's hosting of this significant international event comes as part of the pioneer role Dubai plays in the international arena in boosting the role of local authorities.
Dubai Municipality is already actively involved in the United Nations Center for Human Settlements (UNCHS-Habitat), for which it has founded and continues to run the Dubai International Award for Best Practices to Improve the Living Environment, which draws submissions from throughout the world.
The objectives of the meeting of the 20-member UN Advisory Committee of Local Authorities in Dubai will be to draw up a general policy over the coming five years for local authorities, given the role they play in sustainable development. The meeting also aims to examine and promote partnership between central governments and local authorities, mechanisms for decentralization of local authorities.
The conference will form avenues for joint interaction between international organizations and institutions concerned with local authorities affairs, and follow up implementation of the Habitat 21 Agenda pertaining to the role of local authorities in the comprehensive development plans.
"Organizing this conference in Dubai also forms part of the ongoing efforts spearheaded by His Excellency Qassim Sultan, in creating more opportunities for interaction among world cities as well as international institutions, agencies and organizations," said Mr. Juma, pointing out that Mr. Sultan is one of the founding members of the UN Advisory Committee of Local Authorities, which was set up early last year in a meeting held at the Italian city of Venice. (www.albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
