More than 3,000 politicians, city leaders and experts from around the world are expected to gather in Tangier next week for one of the biggest international events focused on local government and city management.
Held under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI, the 8th World Congress of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) will take place from 22 to 25 June at the Tangier Palace of Arts and Culture.
The event will bring together ministers responsible for local government, mayors of major cities and capitals, business leaders, experts and media representatives.
This year’s congress is being held under the theme “A New Generation of Universal Local Public Services.”
Discussions will focus on issues that affect people’s everyday lives, including city development, climate change, social inclusion, public services, digital transformation and citizen participation.
Participants will also discuss ways to make cities more resilient and reduce inequalities through the GOLD VII programme, a global initiative on local democracy and decentralisation.
The congress will also see the election of UCLG’s new leadership for the next three years.
Delegates will vote for 342 members of the World Council, 116 members of the Executive Bureau, a new global president, five co-presidents and a treasurer.
The newly elected leadership will help shape the organisation’s strategy beyond 2030 and work on strengthening its Local Social Pact.
For Morocco, the event marks another important step in its relationship with UCLG. The kingdom previously hosted the organisation’s fourth World Summit in Rabat in 2013.
Morocco is also home to the headquarters of UCLG Africa in Rabat. The organisation brings together 52 national local government associations and represents more than 500 million people across the continent.
After the congress, Morocco will also host the General Assembly of Metropolis on 26 June.
Metropolis brings together more than 160 local and metropolitan governments from around the world. Members will discuss future priorities and ways to work together on sustainable development and urban innovation.
