Day to day we experience convergence of key challenges which have an increasingly significant impact on our local realities. Declining economic growth, the oil and commodities downturn, increasing security risks and migration patterns as well as increasing inequality in many corners of the world continues to impose new and ever more complex challenges to the management of our cities, towns and villages.

Coupled with unprecedented disruption and innovation challenging business, government and civil society in the 21st century, this convergence presents both significant hurdles and tremendous opportunities to position local government at the heart of localising people centred growth and development.

Financing the development agenda in a tough global economic environment is one of our key challenges over the medium term, and consequently must be one of our major priorities. In an ever more restrained resource and fiscal environment, unlocking the value of strategic partnerships, global networks and stakeholder relationships is vital to supporting and financing an inclusive growth and developmental agenda.

My plan for building a resilient, responsive and member centric global family of local and regional governments, united in our diversity is: 

• Locating Local Government at the Centre of a Changing World
  
• Promoting Collaborative Local Governance
  
• Enhancing Organisational Consolidation and Renewal