Parks Tau, President of UCLG, wishes you all the best for 2019!
Dear Colleagues,
2018 has been an important year for our global movement of local and regional governments.
I believe that we have been able to place local governments in the spotlight of the development agenda by demonstrating our commitment to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and putting the localization of the 2030 Agenda at the core of our strategy.
Our actions have reflected the determination and the various global efforts of local and regional governments to take their rightful place at the decision-making table, in order to address the complex challenges of the 21st Century, and to provide solutions in a rapidly changing world.
Improving governance at all levels, promoting the renewal of the financial system in a way that allows local governments to access the resources they need, and promoting innovative, fairer and more peaceful societies, are the key vectors of change that we have identified and work towards achieving.
We have worked tirelessly to enhance our partnerships to deliver on our key commitments, but we know we cannot do this alone!
Dear friends, I am convinced that our actions have contributed to ensure that cities are being listened to internationally, and to make our organization more vibrant, growing stronger by the day. I also hope that you share the sense of unity and dynamism that we have been able to appreciate in our successful statutory meetings in 2018, both in Strasbourg and Madrid.
As we work towards our World Congress in Durban in a years’ time, we will need your continued commitment and support to ensure that our agenda remains relevant and supports our vast membership to meet the objective of leaving no one, and no place, behind.
Our joint vision, our solidarity, and our perception of the global goals with a local perspective need to continue being the guiding principles of our action.
As I transmit to you the warmest wishes on behalf of the full Presidency team, I also call on all of you to continue supporting our work.
I wish us all, the global family of local and regional governments, a Happy and inspiring New Year.
