The City of Cape Town – ICLEI: Local Governments for Sustainability Partnership aims to coordinate, plan and develop local government initiatives and to identify partnership opportunities.

Objectives
:: Facilitating and coordinating programmes and initiatives for the City as a member of ICLEI (liaison function).
:: Facilitating and coordinating working arrangements for the City as host of ICLEI Africa office.
:: Facilitating and supporting the position of Cllr Themba Sikhutshwa as ICLEI Excom member representing Africa region.
:: Following up outstanding issues, programmes and initiatives from the ICLEI World Congress, including business issues, auditing / finance items and partnership opportunities.
:: Identifying opportunities for the City linked to ICLEI initiatives and partnerships, including disaster management, water, climate change, biodiversity, sustainable procurement and facilitating City line function involvement.

The City of Cape Town was proud to host the ICLEI World Congress 2006: Out of Africa - Local Solutions for Global Challenges, which took place from 27 February to 3 March 2006. The Congress, which was held in the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), was attended by over 600 participants from over 70 countries around the world. The Congress was a tremendous success and the City received many compliments for organising such a successful event.

The delegates had a wide range of informative presentations to choose from each day. Social events every evening included a Mayoral function, a picnic at Kirstenbosch, a cocktail evening and an African feast, which enabled informal discussions and networking to take place in a relaxed atmosphere. An important feature of the Congress was the integration of lecture hall presentations with field visits. Eleven technical site visits ran in parallel on the “Cape Town Day”, where delegates had the opportunity to visit some of Cape Town’s sustainable projects and engage in lively debates around sustainability issues. The interactive exhibition, the Ubuntu Market, provided delegates with the opportunity to share ideas and information, present their displays and interact and network with both exhibitors and other delegates. The Congress concluded with an ICLEI Council Meeting at which key business decisions were taken and the Cape Town Declaration adopted – ICLEI’s strategic work plan for the next three years.

The City hopes that the legacy of the World Congress would be a renewed commitment by all who attended and that they would make these ideals a reality in their communities and homes, and take back fond memories of our beautiful city.

Achievements
:: The World Congress provided an inspiring environment for fruitful exchange and lively discussions on local strategies for sustainability.
:: The World Congress provided a platform for interaction between its members and United Nations agencies, governments, financing institutions, donors, businesses, NGOs and other partners working towards achieving local sustainability.
:: At the World Congress, new approaches and innovative solutions were developed and learned about experiences and achievements made across the globe.
:: The World Congress strengthened the ICLEI network.
:: Various topics were discussed at the workshops and ideas were exchanged, which will (hopefully) be taken back with the delegates. People’s “eyes were opened” to the problems the world is facing, and it was unanimously agreed that “Solutions for Global Challenges” must be found.

For further information, visit the ICLEI website at www.iclei.org, or contact:

Mr Stephen Granger (Manager: Major Programmes and Projects)
Tel: +27 (0)21 487 2236
Fax: +27 (0)21 487 2255
E-mail: stephen.granger@capetown.gov.za

NOTE: The City of Cape Town is not responsible for the content of external websites, nor does it constitute an endorsement of these websites. They are solely intended to provide additional information sources that may be helpful.

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