After two years of lively internal discussion and debate, the Mexico City meeting of the Consultative Group (CG) was decisive, as members provided the necessary guidance to move the Cities Alliance forward.
After two years of lively internal discussion and debate, the Mexico City meeting of the Consultative Group (CG) was decisive, as members provided the necessary guidance to move the Cities Alliance forward. In summary, these included (i) the unanimous adoption of a new Charter, which emphasised the Partnership nature of the organisation; (ii) the adoption of a new business model, and (iii) agreement that sub-Saharan Africa is to be a Cities Alliance priority for the next few years.
Within the new Governance structure of the Cities Alliance, the CG greatly strengthened the role and duties of the Executive Committee (EXCO), and appointed UCLG as the permanent Chair. It also created the Policy Advisory Forum (PAF), and unanimously appointed Clare Short as Chairperson until December 2013.
This Newsletter contains some of the details of these new arrangements, and has been timed to coincide with the launch of the new Catalytic Fund, which is now open for business. Since returning to work, the Secretariat has been implementing the decisions of the Consultative Group, which provide new and challenging opportunities for the organisation, and for the Secretariat.
The next significant milestone will be the next meeting of EXCO, which will be meeting in Washington on March 10 and 11. This will provide the first opportunity to review progress to date, and to also provide guidance to the Secretariat in terms of resource mobilisation.
The Secretariat was greatly encouraged by the unanimity that was evident in Mexico City, and by the active participation of so many members. We look forward to working with the new EXCO, and to further developing our excellent relationship with Clare, in her new role.
Within the new Governance structure of the Cities Alliance, the CG greatly strengthened the role and duties of the Executive Committee (EXCO), and appointed UCLG as the permanent Chair. It also created the Policy Advisory Forum (PAF), and unanimously appointed Clare Short as Chairperson until December 2013.
This Newsletter contains some of the details of these new arrangements, and has been timed to coincide with the launch of the new Catalytic Fund, which is now open for business. Since returning to work, the Secretariat has been implementing the decisions of the Consultative Group, which provide new and challenging opportunities for the organisation, and for the Secretariat.
The next significant milestone will be the next meeting of EXCO, which will be meeting in Washington on March 10 and 11. This will provide the first opportunity to review progress to date, and to also provide guidance to the Secretariat in terms of resource mobilisation.
The Secretariat was greatly encouraged by the unanimity that was evident in Mexico City, and by the active participation of so many members. We look forward to working with the new EXCO, and to further developing our excellent relationship with Clare, in her new role.
William Cobbett
Manager
