Amman, Sept. 17 (Petra)-- The Lower House's Administrative Committee, chaired by MP Mohammad Ghweiri, met on Wednesday with Mehmet Duman, Secretary-General of the United Cities and Local Governments Middle East and West Asia Regional Organization (UCLG-MEWA), to discuss cooperation and partnership in supporting local administrations and municipalities.
Ghweiri said the meeting reflects Jordan’s belief in the importance of regional and international partnerships in supporting local development, providing an opportunity to benefit from global and regional expertise in advancing municipal and local governance.
He stressed that developing legislation regulating local administration is the cornerstone of improving municipal services and enhancing their developmental role, noting that Parliament has played a pivotal role through reviewing laws and regulations governing municipalities and decentralization in recent years, ensuring independence and efficiency in line with the Royal vision and national development plans.
The committee members emphasized the need to empower municipalities institutionally and administratively, strengthen decentralization, and develop human resources systems.
They highlighted the importance of benefiting from successful municipal experiences, programs that promote women’s and youth participation in local governance, and evaluating public-private partnerships at the municipal level.
For his part, Duman explained that the organization brings together municipalities and local administrations from 16 countries and serves as a regional framework and a link to international bodies, particularly the United Nations, to promote joint municipal work.
He said the organization’s goal is to support municipalities and enhance their institutional and developmental capacities through partnerships, knowledge exchange, and training programs, thereby improving services provided to citizens and achieving sustainable development goals.
Duman praised His Majesty King Abdullah II’s strategic vision to achieve sustainable development and foster citizen participation in decision-making, describing it as a leading model for the region in engaging local communities and managing resources efficiently and transparently.
He noted the vital role of Parliament, through the Administrative Committee, in drafting legislation that regulates municipal work, stressing that joint cooperation could help develop laws in line with modern international practices to ensure more independence and effectiveness for municipalities.
He added that the meeting represents a first step toward a joint roadmap that strengthens Jordan’s position as a hub for successful local governance experiences, affirming the organization’s readiness to provide support through training programs and joint development projects in urban planning, local governance, digital transformation, and climate change adaptation.
UCLG-MEWA representative in Jordan, Rakez Khalayleh, also emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation and partnerships in supporting local administrations and municipalities.
//Petra// AO
