The Partnership and Integration Conference between the government and local authorities has successfully concluded.

Partnership Conference Concludes with Key Recommendations for Local Governance

The recent Partnership and Integration Conference, organized by the Ministry of Local Administration in collaboration with the Political Development Forum and supported by the German Foreign Ministry and the Berghof Foundation, concluded today in Aden. The conference focused on the theme “Towards Decentralized Governance and Sustainable Institutional Empowerment.”

Constitutional Framework for Local Governance

Participants emphasized that the constitution and the Local Authority Law serve as the primary references for regulating the relationship between central and local authorities. This foundational framework aims to enhance cooperation and ensure effective governance at all levels.

Recommendations for Development and Service Improvement

The conference brought together representatives from central and local authorities, international organizations, and development partners. They urged the Cabinet to implement necessary measures to boost development and improve services. Key recommendations included executing financial and economic reforms outlined in Presidential Leadership Council Decision No. 11 of 2025. This decision focuses on enhancing local resources and allocating fair shares to provinces.

Empowering Local Offices

Delegates called for empowering ministry offices and branches of central institutions in provinces with full ministerial authority related to service delivery and executive activities. They also recommended adjusting financial ceilings for tenders to align with economic changes and inflation rates. This adjustment aims to ensure a steady flow of resources. Additionally, the conference stressed the need for strict legal measures, including direct deductions from accounts against central funds for road maintenance, youth programs, and agricultural and fisheries support, in cases of non-compliance with legally mandated resource contributions.

Closing Session Insights

In the closing session, Minister of Local Administration Engineer Badr Basalama highlighted the importance of strengthening relationships between central and local authorities. He noted that addressing existing imbalances requires ongoing dialogue through specialized sessions and workstreams. These efforts aim to develop practical solutions for fostering partnership and integration across various levels of governance. Basalama confirmed that all documents, working papers, and attachments related to the conference’s final statement would be submitted to the leadership of the Presidential Leadership Council, the government, relevant ministries, and local authorities in the provinces.

This conference marks a significant step towards enhancing local governance and promoting sustainable development in Yemen.

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