Effective decentralization and localization form an important precondition for resilient, inclusive, sustainable, equitable and efficient development around the world.
The Local Public Sector Alliance is an alliance of advocates for more inclusive and effective decentralization and local development. One of the Alliance’s objectives is to bring together the global Community of Practice around Decentralization and Local Development in order to share knowledge and ideas in an evolving global context.
As part of its 2021/22 global webinar series on Decentralization and Local Development around the World, the Local Public Sector Alliance—in collaboration with the World Bank (Subnational Governance and Decentralization Global Solutions Group), UNDP, UNCDF, and a number of other global partners—hosted a series of knowledge sharing events on Decentralization and Local Development in Asia during the week of September 13-17, 2021.
While countries tend towards greater decentralization and localization in the long run, the pendulum does not always swing in the same direction. Since the SDGs were formulated in 2015, what has been going on in terms of decentralization and localization in countries in Asia? Has progress been made towards more inclusive and effective decentralization or localization in different countries; has the degree of decentralization been stagnant; or are countries backsliding? What political economy forces have been shaping the progress on decentralization and localization (or the lack thereof) in the region? And what can development practitioners, scholars and civil society organizations do to encourage evidence-based decentralization and localization reforms that promote more inclusive, effective and sustainable development in Asia?
Program sessions included:
- Decentralization and Localization in South Asia: Trends, Political Economy Dynamics and Creating Opportunities for a More Inclusive and Efficient Public Sector (Monday, September 13, 2021)
- Decentralization and Localization in East Asia and the Pacific: Trends, Political Economy Dynamics and Creating Opportunities for a More Inclusive and Efficient Public Sector (Tuesday, September 14, 2021)
- Decentralization and Localization in Asia: Experiences from Nepal (Wednesday, September 15, 2021)
- Decentralization and Localization in Asia: Implications for Public Financial Management (Thursday, September 16, 2021)
