Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments shared best practice in Namibia

On 6 and 7 November, local government representatives from Latvia participated in a study visit in Namibia, devoted to sharing experience of Latvian municipalities in succeeding democratic participation. The two associations agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding.

The representatives of the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments (LALRG) – Ms Mudite Juhna, Secretary General, Ms Elita Kresse, Adviser on Foreign Affairs Issues, and Mr Davids Valters, Adviser on Legal Issues, met with the Chairman of the Association of Local Authorities in Namibia (ALAN), Hon. Samuel Oe-Amseb, and Head of the Office Ms Maureen Kambala.

The study visit was organised in the framework of the project prepared by 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 impact of decisions taken at national level

Ms Mudīte Juhna presented the work of LALRG in representing and lobbying the interests of municipalities, as well as informed about current affairs, including the annual negotiations between 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 LALRG. Likewise, the Secretary General of the LALRG introduced them with the financial situation in local authorities in Latvia, emphasising the impact of decisions made in the country on local government budgets.

As part of the visit, the delegation visited 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 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 emphasised 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.