Africa-Press – Cape verde. The president of the National Association of Municipalities of Cape Verde (ANMCV) defends the need to prepare local authorities to face the increasingly complex challenges caused by the rapid transformations in society. Position expressed by Fábio Vieira, at the opening of the Strategic Meeting of Municipal Leadership, which began today in São Vicente.
Vieira emphasizes that, in a context of rapid change, city governments must be prepared to respond to complex challenges, from sustainable resource management to the modernization of public services.
“It is through local authorities today that we continue to embody the ideals of justice, equity, and progress that guided our nation’s founders. Therefore, I urge this meeting to be not only a space for debate, but also for concerted action. May we leave here with clear strategies, concrete projects, and renewed determination to face the challenges of the next decade. The National Association of Municipalities is committed to being the unified voice of municipalities, working in partnership with the Government, civil society, and our international allies, such as the United Nations. The development of local leaders is fundamental to efficient, transparent, and innovative municipal management, especially in a context of increasingly complex public policies and citizen demands.
The mayor of Mosteiros also believes that “ANMCV is the key to ensuring that municipalities are prepared for the challenges of the future.”
In turn, the mayor of São Vicente, Augusto Neves, highlights municipalism as one of the greatest achievements of democracy and freedom in Cape Verde.
“A great victory for democracy and freedom, and the empowerment of elected officials is increasingly necessary for us to continue our work. It’s arduous and difficult work because we understand the needs, the difficulties, the powerlessness we face, and the desire to solve problems but not being able to. In this sense, we believe that the National Association of Municipalities, as the umbrella institution for all municipalities, has a great responsibility. The task of municipal councils and assemblies is enormous. We visit the population daily, contact them, and we understand the difficulties and how, often, resources are not in our hands and are scarce.
David Matern, Resident Representative of UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF, reiterated the United Nations’ commitment to local development in Cabo Verde. Matern stressed that effective leadership is crucial for the progress of municipalities.
“However, it’s well known that leading and managing a municipality involves dealing with several challenges, including managing limited resources, meeting the diverse demands of the population, reconciling conflicting interests, adapting to a constantly changing environment, and maintaining accountability and ethical management. Hence the importance of this Strategic Municipal Leadership Meeting, which will certainly allow elected municipal officials to hone and acquire management, communication, negotiation, and community mobilization skills,” he assured.
The Strategic Municipal Leadership Meeting is aimed at mayors and municipal assemblies, as part of the implementation of the Joint Program for Local Development.
During the three days of work, sessions will be analyzed focusing on the institutional responsibilities of municipal elected officials, the promotion of inclusive governance, and the integration of cross-cutting policies, such as human rights, gender equality, and the protection of children and adolescents, into Municipal Strategic Plans for Sustainable Development.
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