Afghan Conference on Strengthening Municipal Governance
Herat, Afghanistan
October 13, 2008
Brad Hanson, U.S. Department of State Representative, Provincial Reconstruction Team, Herat Province
Salaam Alaikum. Governor Anwari, Minister Pashton, Independent Directorate for Local Governance Director Mr. Popal, Deputy Minister Jalalzadeh, Mayors, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the United States Government, it is a great pleasure to be with you here today and to see all of you mayors, municipal leaders, and local officials commited to strengthening governance in your municipalities.
This gathering is the first of its kind in Afghanistan. Every province is represented here, with leaders from large urban municipalities like Mazar-e Sharif and Jalalabad and from rural towns like Shebergan and Qalat.
Each municipality is important to the development of this country, and each has a unique perspective that will lead to economic growth and effective public service delivery in cities, towns, and villages throughout Afghanistan.
This conference provides an opportunity for you to share successes and challenges, generate innovative urban governance strategies, and discuss opportunities for country-wide replication of successful projects.
Yesterday, there were several case studies to learn from. And there will be more case studies. We encourage you to provide examples of your own experiences in helping your cities grow and prosper.
For example, I learned from some mayors last night of an innovative, successful project harnessing the sun’s energy to power street lights in several towns in eastern and central Afghanistan. These solar-powered street lights improve security, extend the hours of business for shopkeepers, and also provide light under which some students study their lessons. And they use a clean, renewable resource, solar energy.
Through sharing your ideas and insights, you will contribute to the development of a comprehensive approach to municipal governance.
The United States Government, in partnership with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is working throughout the country to build sub-national governance capacity.
In coordination with the IDLG, the provincial, municipal, and district levels are working together to support these initiatives. Through this governance structure, municipalities play a unique and critical role.
While municipalities face many challenges, including limited resources, staffing constraints, and competing community interests, you are often the main artery that provides citizens with the services that they need, such as access to water, decent roads, and electricity.
As municipal officials, you lead the way in building citizen satisfaction, through demand-driven, transparent, and responsive municipal programs.
To everyone in this room who maintains a strong commitment to improving the lives of your citizens, I wish you much success in the future.
I look forward to hearing your ideas for growing the economies of your cities to enable you to provide public services to your citizens.
(IN DARI) I want to thank the Ministry of Urban Development and the Independent Directorate for Local Governance for organizing and leading this conference, the Mayor of Heart, Mayor Mojaddeddi, for hosting us all in the historic city of Heart, and to all the mayors participating here for heeding the call to public service. Thank you.