[5 November 2012] -- The Cities Alliance Consultative Group concluded its annual meetings in Hanoi on 1-2 November 2012 with a unanimous decision to support the relocation of the Secretariat to Europe during the course of 2013, with a tentative target date of July 1. Members also agreed that the city of Brussels should be the new home for the organisation, as it embarks on its next phase.
The meeting was conducted with the open, vibrant and constructive debate that characterises Cities Alliance meetings. Despite its significance, all decisions were taken by consensus, as is also the tradition.
Members expressed their strong satisfaction in the direction of the organisation, and with the improved results emanating from the new Charter and business model and - in particular - with the Country Programmes (of which Vietnam is one). All members acknowledged the quality and consistency of the support that has been provided by the World Bank, which was unanimously selected as the host of the Cities Alliance at its launch in 1999. CG members further expressed their pleasure at the assurances of the World Bank that it will remain an active and engaged member of the Cities Alliance.
Other key decisions taken in Hanoi:
-- CG also identified a key role for the Cities Alliance in marshalling its members to respond to the opportunities presented by the Habitat III conference that will take place in 2016. The Secretariat was mandated to work with key members to develop a bold and dynamic work programme designed to support the consolidation of the importance of urban development, and the role of local government, in the international development agenda.
-- Members also welcomed and endorsed the proposal to develop, during the course of 2013, a CA strategy for sub-Saharan Africa, with a leadership role for the CA members located in Africa, especially the Governments of Ethiopia, Nigeria and South Africa, as well as UCLGA, SDI and UN-Habitat.
More information will be posted on the website as it becomes available.
