Major Group: Local Authorities
OWG 8 session 4-7 February 7, 2014
Statement by H.E. Noel Arscott
Minister of Local Government of Jamaica
Board Member of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum, CLGF
Speaking on behalf of the Local Authorities Major Groups (LAMG)
and Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments
Your Excellencies, Honorable Delegates, Colleagues
I am the Minister of Local Governments of Jamaica and I am speaking to you also as Board
Member of CLGF and representative of the LAMG facilitated by UCLG.
The Global Task Force of Local and Regional Governments stresses the importance of
“democratic self-governing, participative, efficient, accountable and resourced Local
Government within the framework of a better intergovernmental coordination” in
order to achieve true development.
I was pleased that yesterday a number of prominent speakers including Ms. Mary Robinson, as
well as the Uganda representative, highlighted the role of local government in sustainable
development. This applies on a cross-cutting basis to all the areas pertaining to peace-building,
conflict-resolution, rule of law and governance, as indeed it does to other issues, whether they
relate to economic growth, basic service delivery or for example addressing climate change,
where many cities are in the forefront of reducing carbon emissions.
Internationally, there are key standards of good governance, including the Aberdeen principles
of local democracy and good governance which all Commonwealth member governments have
endorsed.
In many countries, local governments establish clear guidelines and practices on governance.
However, a lot remains to be done if we want to build peaceful and fairer societies for all.
The Rio +20 outcome document confirms the importance of local government in development,
freedom, peace and security and acknowledges democracy, good governance and the rule of
law. The Munyonyo Statement on local governments reiterates this acknowledgement.
While global and national governance often deals with essential systemic policies, local
governance involves intensive interaction with citizens that is crucial for sustainable peace.
This could also be articulated with a broad SDG on sustainable urbanization with strong
components on safety, accountability, basic service delivery, equality and resilience that are
underpinned by clear governance targets.
We hope that the Working Group will give clear recognition to the local government in relation to
managing urbanization and in governance. In particular endorse the role which local
governments have in setting, implementing and monitoring targets for all the future goals.
Thank you all for considering our inputs and for maintaining this dialogue.
Statement by H.E. Noel Arscott
Minister of Local Government of Jamaica
Board Member of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum, CLGF
Speaking on behalf of the Local Authorities Major Groups (LAMG)
and Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments
Your Excellencies, Honorable Delegates, Colleagues
I am the Minister of Local Governments of Jamaica and I am speaking to you also as Board
Member of CLGF and representative of the LAMG facilitated by UCLG.
The Global Task Force of Local and Regional Governments stresses the importance of
“democratic self-governing, participative, efficient, accountable and resourced Local
Government within the framework of a better intergovernmental coordination” in
order to achieve true development.
I was pleased that yesterday a number of prominent speakers including Ms. Mary Robinson, as
well as the Uganda representative, highlighted the role of local government in sustainable
development. This applies on a cross-cutting basis to all the areas pertaining to peace-building,
conflict-resolution, rule of law and governance, as indeed it does to other issues, whether they
relate to economic growth, basic service delivery or for example addressing climate change,
where many cities are in the forefront of reducing carbon emissions.
Internationally, there are key standards of good governance, including the Aberdeen principles
of local democracy and good governance which all Commonwealth member governments have
endorsed.
In many countries, local governments establish clear guidelines and practices on governance.
However, a lot remains to be done if we want to build peaceful and fairer societies for all.
The Rio +20 outcome document confirms the importance of local government in development,
freedom, peace and security and acknowledges democracy, good governance and the rule of
law. The Munyonyo Statement on local governments reiterates this acknowledgement.
While global and national governance often deals with essential systemic policies, local
governance involves intensive interaction with citizens that is crucial for sustainable peace.
This could also be articulated with a broad SDG on sustainable urbanization with strong
components on safety, accountability, basic service delivery, equality and resilience that are
underpinned by clear governance targets.
We hope that the Working Group will give clear recognition to the local government in relation to
managing urbanization and in governance. In particular endorse the role which local
governments have in setting, implementing and monitoring targets for all the future goals.
Thank you all for considering our inputs and for maintaining this dialogue.