The Kenyan Minister of Devolution, Eugene Wamalwa, has said that the Africities Summit should provide the opportunity for African cities to discuss solutions to the needs of the growing number of urban dwellers and improve their living conditions.
Speaking at the official opening of the 9th Africities Summit, which is being held from May 17 to May 21, 2022 in Kisumu, Western Kenya, the Minister said that empowering African people should be achieved through transformative and sustainable programmes.
Wamalwa is therefore calling on African countries to consider all opportunities “to improve our environment and natural resource management and improve market access, trade and financial services.”
“Our discussions and interactions during this Summit should strive to explore innovative opportunities to reduce vulnerabilities and increase the resilience of our growing urban populations. It is imperative that we work towards economic empowerment of our communities through transformative and sustainable socio-economic programmes,” he said.
“Our efforts to build the nation and provide a peaceful environment for coexistence will be crucial in leading our communities to economic take-off.
“It is important for all of us to start posing the issues and finding solutions on how we are going to finance our infrastructural developments in our cities, towns, villages and commercial centers as a key factor in ensuring that our urbanization meets the basic principles of development,” the former Kenyan Justice Minister said.
According to him, the discussions during this conference form the link for Africa to chart its own approach and trajectory towards sustainable human development based on its realities while taking stock of the knowledge and experiences gained from around the world.
The event is organized by United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa) in partnership with the Government of Kenya, the Council of Governors of Kenya (CoG) and the County of Kisumu. This edition, which will be attended by about 5,000 participants, will focus on the theme: “The role of intermediate cities in Africa in the implementation of the United Nations Agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063 of the African Union.”
According to the president of the Africities Summit, Christine Mba Ndutume. every five years, the event is held in partnership with the host country, United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa) and it brings together 16,000 local governments and 51 national associations of local elected officials.
The 8th edition of the Africities Summit was held from November 20 to 24, 2018 in Marrakech, Morocco, under the theme: “The transition to sustainable cities and territories: the role of African local governments.”
