'Decentralization promotes cooperation': The Role of Local Authorities.

Joan Clos is Mayor of Barcelona, Spain, and the current President of the World Associations of Cities and Local Authorities Coordination (WACLAC). This global alliance was formed in the wake of the Habitat II Conference, held in Istanbul in June 1996, which called for the strengthening of cities and local authorities. Mayor Clos is also President of the World Association of the Major Metropolises (Metropolis). The first-ever World Assembly of Cities and Local Authorities (WACLA) was held on the eve of the Istanbul Conference. On 6 May 2001, one month before the Genera Assembly special session reviews the implementation of the Habitat Agenda (Istanbul+5), a second World Assembly (WACEJA II) met in Rio de Janeiro. On the eve of WACLA II, responding to questions from Horst Rutsch for the UN Chronicle, Mayor Clos insists that "the good governance of cities is one of the keys to channelling the positive effects of globalization and counterbalancing its negative aspects ".

On the priorities for WACLAC

We seek to unite local governments in a single voice and to be recognized as valid interlocutors before international organizations and governments. It is vital that at all times we maintain and reiterate the same objectives--this gives our mission both coherence and weight.

While our objectives are clear and concise, their achievement has been a long and complex process. Istanbul was a crucial step towards consolidating this local government movement. Until then, local governments could only officially participate in international forums with the status of non-governmental organizations. Yet, it is untenable to treat local authorities as anything other than a level of government.

With well over half the world's population living in cities, and with this figure vertiginously rising, it stands to reason that our voice and experience are necessary and must be heard. National and regional governments cannot faithfully reflect the needs of urbanized centres; they are too far removed from the day-to-day at the local level, from the root of the human system.

The mechanisms WACLAC has engaged to strengthen the voice of cities and local authorities on the international stage have been, firstly, to seek specific official status for local government with the UN Economic and Social Council, while assuring that we play an active part in the policy formation bodies of the United Nations dealing with urban issues, in particular the Commission on Human Settlements and the Commission on Sustainable Development.

Secondly, we have strived to assure the progress of the role of cities and local authorities in international cooperation. This task involves securing higher priority for capacity-building in local government via international programmes, such as those of the UN Centre for Human Settlements, the UN Development Programme, the European Union and development banks; pressing for increased allocation of development aid to urban development and the formation of an inter-city solidarity fund; and obtaining greater effectiveness from aid programmes by building upon direct local-to-local cooperation mechanisms ("decentralized cooperation"). Thirdly, we have consolidated the process of structuring the world city organizations as a means to ensure a stalwart network that will serve all our objectives.

On the Habitat Agenda

We believe that our major contribution must be to promote the principles of local self-government and good governance. This involves the preparation of a World Charter of Local Self-Government, for promulgation by the United Nations, which draws upon broadly-based consultations on the factors to be taken into account in all the world regions.

By enhancing the negotiating capacity of cities and local authorities, we are actively involved in the follow-up and implementation of the Habitat Agenda and that of the Local Agenda 21. To this end, a framework cooperation agreement with the UNCHS (Habitat) has been drawn up. To help accomplish these tasks, WACLAC is working on new means to broaden its international capacity for monitoring developments in self-government. This includes promoting an ongoing dialogue with cities and local authorities, and their national and international associations, aimed at monitoring and evaluating trends and promoting debate on issues as they arise.

On the challenge of accelerating globalization

As a Mayor of a large metropolitan area of over 4 million citizens, I have first-hand experience of the evils of uncontrolled urban growth. Cities, as the very engines of progress, are also encountering the downside of social, economic and environmental changes that even go beyond city boundaries. Reversing this trend is a complicated task, but through transparency of actions, accountability, partnership, sustainable development and social participation, we believe we can improve the quality of life in our cities, and as city leaders this is our vocation. The Habitat Agenda is the blueprint to be followed for a better and more dignified future. The City of Barcelona has experienced an incredible transition over the past 20 years, from dictatorship to democracy. My city has managed to revitalize its social, economic and physical fabric, by successfully appealing for social cohesion, participation on all levels, decentralization, urban renewal, sustainable policies and strong economic promotion. As is the case with most second cities, which perhaps do not enjoy the privileges of the national capitals, Barcelona has had to constantly reinvent itself to ensure that its development maintains momentum.

"Global problems, local solutions" is not so different from "local problems, global solutions". The good governance of cities is one of the keys to channelling the positive effects of globalization and counterbalancing its negative aspects. Cities throughout the world have their special needs and difficulties; still, there are basic similarities which we all share and which enables us to learn from each other. Good governance is the most important principle to assure respect for democratic practices, leading to better transparency of local governments and their financial and administrative prerogatives, and resulting in more efficient local government management. The UNCHS Global Campaign for Urban Governance has our total support in promoting these principles. The UNCHS Global Campaign for Secure Tenure also helps strengthen the role of local governments and their associations, in partnership with the State, in the design and implementation of public policies and the articulation of national and regional pri orities, particularly in the areas of city planning, transportation and environment. WACLAC actively welcomes and supports the implementation of these two campaigns as basic building blocks for the consolidation of the Habitat Agenda.

On the Metropolis network

Metropolis is currently facing the challenges brought about by its very own success. The process of urbanization, with more than half of the world's population living in cities, amply demonstrates that the large metropolises have become the main protagonists in humanity's development. We are now immersed in the dynamics of globalization and its challenges, while, on the other hand, as local actors we are dose to millions of people living in the big cities. What is quite surprising is the similarity of urban problems in general, despite the huge differences between individual cities as metropolises. We can only face the challenges of globalization by properly understanding the citizens' real problems. Cooperation between Metropolis members permits the identification of these problems through the exchange of expertise, through technical commissions, bilateral aid and training programmes. Metropolis' Web site and involvement in projects such as the World Bank's Development Gateway are also important tools with w hich we seek to improve cooperation between the large metropolises.

On innovative forms of international cooperation

Through WACLAC, local authority associations actively cooperate and offer constructive criticism in the Cities Alliance programmes and the UN Advisory Committee of Local Authorities set up by Habitat. We have not yet been capable of tackling urban poverty, partly due to local governments' limited role in national and international programmes for the eradication of poverty. Financing of these programmes continues to be insufficient, tied up at the national or international level. We will be successful only if, from the very beginning, the responsibility for decision-making and management is placed in the hands of the cities affected. We need the United Nations to recognize local governments as essential partners.

On the goals for WACLA II

WACLA II is the culmination of the first stage to unify local governments and gain recognition from international organizations. Five years after Istanbul, we are very satisfied with our accomplishments. At the Rio meeting, we shall witness the official coming together of our two major associations, IULA and FMCU. We have been able to enter into active partnership with the World Bank in the Cities Alliance Programme. And with the setting-up of the Advisory Committee of Local Authorities, we have taken the first step towards consultative status within the UN system. These are no small feats, and I am delighted so much has been achieved.

Nevertheless, our mission continues. The next step will be to formally present the Rio de Janeiro Declaration of WACLA II to the special session of the General Assembly. On 5 June, prior to Istanbul+5, the United Nations will be hosting a Local Authority Day, an exclusive meeting of representatives of local authorities and their associations, during which I, together with several prominent mayoral colleagues, will be meeting with Secretary-General Kofi Annan to present the Declaration. This event will certainly be the culmination of our partnership with the United Nations. It also marks our recognition as interlocutors with the UN structure, enabling us to speak with a single voice and participate in key decisions affecting citizens. Istanbul was our first step forward; Rio de Janeiro and New York will be the next milestones for local authorities.