MAYOR ALONTE ATTENDS UN SESSION ON TRANSFORMATIVE GOVERNANCE

 

 

Biñan City Mayor Marlyn Alonte-Naguiat has joined other global leaders and policymakers from all over the world at the opening of the 13th session of the UN Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from April 7 to 11, 2014. With the appointment of 24 new members to the Committee of Experts on Public Administration, the discussion centered on the task of coming up with a single UN development agenda beyond 2015.

 

Alonte, who has been attending the annual UN discussion since 2010, believes that good governance is the linchpin of any effort to build an agenda for sustainable development. After the five-day event, some valuable insights and conclusions emerged. First is the realization that shortfalls in actual practice of governance, particularly in public institutions and administrations, are implicated in the delays of achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Second, there is worldwide consensus that a transformation of governance is needed, not just as a priority for sustainable development, but as an end in itself.

 

Most leaders including the delegates from the Philippines agree, however, that a new vision of capacity building at all levels is vital to transform governance and ensure that it serves the needs of sustainable development. This is particularly the case in developing countries, countries in democratic transition, countries experiencing or emerging from conflict, and countries with limited income.

 

In order to combat these structural limitations, the UN discussion hopes to strengthen capacity building as key to transforming governance and integrity, improve skills, boost professionalism and mobilize citizens to become involved, thus generating a positive effect on democracy and development alike. To these ends, a roadmap has been proposed for use at national and local levels. It takes account of the institutional setting; distinctions, roles, attributions and responsibilities; resources available and objectives or results to be attained. Certain issues are of key importance. They include sustainable urbanization, which requires committed and ethical leadership, good planning and governance and the engagement of all stakeholders.