UCLG-MEWA participated in the CIB Working Group Annual Meeting 2025, held in Tunis on June 17-18. Co-organized by VNG International and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the meeting gathered representatives from local government associations, international institutions, and experts to explore the shifting dynamics of international development cooperation and the critical role of local and regional governments (LRGs) in today’s complex global landscape.
UCLG-MEWA was represented by Dr. Reem ABUSAMRA, International Relations Coordinator, and Aleyna DEMIRCAN, Project Assistant. The delegation actively contributed to the discussions, offering perspectives from the Middle East and West Asia region and underlining the organization’s ongoing efforts to promote decentralized cooperation, inclusive governance, and climate resilience. UCLG-MEWA also presented its work under the Committee on Environment, showcasing initiatives focused on local climate adaptation, inclusive leadership, and water security.
The meeting commenced with a keynote speech by Dr. Neila Akrimi, Chair of the CIB Working Group, who called for stronger, more equitable partnerships and a renewed vision of development cooperation in the face of what she called “polycrises.” She emphasized the role of local governments as key actors not only in service delivery but also in diplomacy and crisis response.
In a high-level panel moderated by Gaby Senay, speakers, including Octavi de la Varga, Sara Hoeflich, and Professor Sami Yassine Turki, reflected on the constraints and possibilities of decentralized cooperation amid political instability, budget cuts, and donor fatigue. They advocated for increased local agency, technical assistance, and political recognition of LRGs.
A core focus of the meeting was the co-creation of the new CIB Action Paper, a practical reference tool to strengthen the shared positioning of CIB members and to promote local governments as legitimate development actors. UCLG-MEWA provided input during the interactive workshop sessions, particularly stressing the importance of including experiences from regions facing instability, centralization, and climate vulnerability. The Action Paper aims to include policy messages, case studies, and donor engagement strategies relevant to the challenges faced by members.
The second day of the meeting featured thematic workshops on gender equality and climate adaptation. During the workshop on local leadership in climate adaptation, UCLG-MEWA shared examples from its regional activities, highlighting the value of multi-level governance and locally-driven solutions. The role of UCLG-MEWA in advocating for inclusive, sustainable development in the face of environmental challenges was recognized as a key contribution to the global dialogue.
The meeting concluded with a strategic session focused on setting CIB’s priorities and reinforcing the role of LRGs as political actors. UCLG-MEWA emphasized the need to continue supporting peer learning, capacity-building, and the creation of collaborative spaces where local governments from all regions—particularly from the Global South—can shape global development narratives and solutions.