Resolution by African local and sub-national governments towards UNFCCC COP 21/CMP 11
We as stakeholders from local, sub-national governments together with the local government networks namely UCLGA, C40 and ICLEI Africa gathered at Africities Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa on 01 December 2015, call on parties of the UNFCCC, collectively with G77, chaired by South Africa to make a strong pro-poor and binding, measurable, reportable and verifiable deal in Paris on the occasion of UNFCCC COP 21/CMP 11.
We call on parties of the nations
•
to recognize the pivotal contribution local and sub-national governments collectively make towards addressing climate change effectively, especially for countries in the global south•
to create an environment where local and sub-national governments join hands and work collaboratively with national governments to take urgent and appropriate measures in addressing both adaptation and mitigation to build resilient communities, recognizing the impacts that municipalities and cities are currently and projected to face in the context of rapid urbanization.•
to create an enabling environment for local and sub-national governments to access and secure appropriate resources including new financial mechanisms that are not overly burdened with heavy procedures.•
to create an environment that fosters finance across all tiers of government towards improving resilience to climate change, particularly through food, water and energy security•
to establish a framework for clean technology transfer flows and capacity building (in all directions) that provides access for African local and sub-national governments to the scientific and technological advances of the industrialized countries.•
to support Africa’s enormous potential for low carbon and green economic growth, especially in relation to local job creation opportunitiesLocal governments, sub-national governments, network organizations for local governments here gathered at Africities 2015 Summit stand ready to scale up climate actions collectively in close partnership with parties of UNFCCC and other regional and global role players towards advancing climate resilient future.
6.2.13 Better municipal performance – How benchmarking can help (SU-13)
The quality of service provision is key to the legitimacy of local governments. In many countries, local governments face challenges because of limited human and financial resources. Learning from peers can, however, help in making the best possible use of available resources. Benchmarking is one such resource.
In essence, benchmarking is about comparing performance indicators with similar organizations and learning from the good practices of others in order to identify and implement measures for improvement. Benchmarking is not meant to be used for rankings and to punish the least (or applaud the best) performers. Rather, it creates a safe environment in which peers are invited to share positive experiences as well as their difficulties and dilemmas, all of which are based on concrete data.
Local government practitioners from Ghana, South Africa and Benin shared how they have used
“benchmarking” as a tool to improve performance, in the field of sanitation and waste management, housing and local economic development (LED) based on systemized exchange with peers from other local governments in their country.
The following recommendations were made, in light of the above:
1. The importance of having high quality data and of measuring (the progress of ) the SDGs
and the African 2063 agenda is beyond doubt. Benchmarking on the basis of such data must be promoted as a very effective method for horizontal learning among local governments.
2. Horizontal learning through benchmarking should be recognized as more empowering for local government than top down or control-driven forms of monitoring.
6.2.14 Fiscal decentralization (SU-14)
Financial decentralization is the main sticking point of decentralization polices in Africa. The principle of concurrency, which states that financial resources must follow powers and functions, faces a lack of political will. Funds should follow function, which is not happening at the moment. Budget and funding allocation is random, unknown/unclear and selective. Various municipal competences are given to municipalities, but are not supported by financial resources or skills, i.e. funds are not in proportion to functions or not transferred on time, therefore delaying implementation. In some cases, national ministries fight over the financial resources and retain funds allocated to municipalities.
However, national governments are not always to blame. Municipalities need to be more assertive and accountable, and raise some of their own funds. In some places, the law may have to be changed to enable local governments to generate revenue, form partnerships or raise taxes.
As countries have different levels of decentralization, a one-size-fits-all is not possible. Municipalities also have different needs because they differ in size and population. Both financial and human resources should accompany municipal competencies, as without these resources, local government cannot perform.
The following recommendations were made:
1. More African leaders must sign the charter on decentralization.
2. Fight against tax evasion.
3. Look at convergence criteria for local government funding.
4. Put pressure on policy makers.
5. Enshrine roles and duties of municipalities in constitutions.
6.2.15 Locally elected women: a new vision for REFELA (SU-15)
REFELA’s primary objectives are to implement programmes that empower women in local government and the community; encourage the participation of women in politics and in leadership roles in local government and communities; strengthen the skills of locally elected women through development and training in leadership and management of local affairs; provide a platform for African women to voice their opinions and concerns in elected bodies such as UCLGA and in the Women’s Commission of UCLGA; and provide a networking system for locally elected women to promote and facilitate the exchange of ideas and experiences.
The outgoing board of REFELA presented their report, their projects, the new board and the vision and mission for the new term. The vision involves the integration of the protection of children and youth, economic empowerment and gender equality. The mission encompasses five points: the protection of orphans and street kids within their communities; the protection of women against all forms of violence; taking initiatives that support the adoption of policies and encourage economic empowerment of women through local government; advocating for promotion of female leadership in local government; developing and strengthening REFELA’s network in order to facilitate the exchange of best practices and promote peer review and learning.