On 6 – 7 November the representatives of the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments have participated in the feasibility study visit at the Association for Local Authorities in Namibia.
The study visit was organized in the framework of the project prepared by the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments (LALRG) and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia in the framework of the grant competition “Support for the financing of feasibility study visits for development cooperation projects in recipient countries determined by the Republic of Latvia”. The purpose of the grant competition is to clarify cooperation needs in the recipient country in order to establish contacts with partners and develop a proposal for a development cooperation project.
The study visit was devoted to sharing the best practice experience of Latvian municipalities in succeeding democratic participation. The representatives of the LALRG – Ms Mudite Juhna, Secretary General, Ms Elita Kresse, Adviser on Foreign Affairs Issues, and Mr Davids Valters, Adviser on Legal Issues, - has met with the Chairman of the Association for Local Authorities in Namibia (ALAN), Hon. Samuel !Oe-Amseb, and Head of the Office Ms Maureen Kambala.
Ms Mudīte Juhna has presented the work of the LALRG in representing and lobbying the interests of municipalities, as well as informed about current affairs, including the annual negotiations between the LALRG and line ministries on budget issues, during which the joint solutions are found resulting in the Protocol on Agreements and Disagreements jointly signed by the Cabinet of Ministers and the LALRG. Likewise, the Secretary General of the LALRG has introduced with the financial situation in local authorities in Latvia, emphasizing the impact of decisions made in the country on local government budgets.
As part of the visit, the delegation attended the capital city Windhoek and the municipality of Okahandja, as well as has met with the representatives of the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development. Namibian colleagues have shared with information on the provision of municipal services, water and electricity supply, street lighting, as well as management of waste management and wastewater collection.
The Chairman of the ALAN emphasized the interest in learning Latvia’s experience, especially on the negotiation mechanism between Latvian local authorities and the government, which many other developing countries have learned from and subsequently adopted. Ms Mudite Juhna and Mr Samuel !Oe-Amseb agreed on signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two associations, which will be the basis for future cooperation.
By Ms Elita Kresse, Adviser on Foreign Affairs Issues, LALRG