Brussels, 03/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - Members of parliament and local and regional decision-makers from 24 countries of the Mediterranean region are having a two-day meeting in Marseille on 3-4 April, as part of the Mediterranean Committee on United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), to discuss democratic governance. The objective of the meeting is to strengthen local democracy, support the process of decentralisation, and ensure priority public services. The Committee of the Regions is taking part through the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM), a joint structure.
The participants are discussing what means should be implemented for decentralised policies of sustainable development, taking account of the specificities of the territories and of the stated priority of creating jobs for young people. The meeting is also due to discuss input from international donors (including the World Bank, the United Nations, the African Development Bank, the European Investment Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, etc.) in the Mediterranean region. (FB/transl.fl)