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)
Session details for all sessions–including links to videos of key presentation–follow below.
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: 10 am BKK / Sunday, September 12, 2021: 11 pm EDT
| Topic | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Webinar Session | Hoon Sahib Soh, World Bank |
| Context: Decentralization and Local Development around the World | Serdar Yilmaz, World Bank Jamie Boex, Local Public Sector Alliance |
| Making (De)centralization Work in South Asia | Hans Timmer, World Bank |
 Decentralization and democracy in South Asia [Watch on YouTube] | Sten Widmalm, Uppsala University |
| Perspectives on co-creating more inclusive and effective decentralization and localization [Watch on YouTube] | Bala Menon, World Bank |
| Discussion / Q & A | Moderator, audience, and panelists |
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: 10 am BKK / Monday, September 13, 2021: 11 pm EDT
| Topic | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Serdar Yilmaz, World Bank |
| Deepening Decentralization within Centrally Led States: The Direction of Local Governance Reforms in Southeast Asia / Blog and Paper/[Watch on YouTube] | Zubair K. Bhatti Lachlan McDonald |
| Country perspectives: The Philippines and Indonesia [Watch on YouTube] | Joseph J. Capuno, University of the Philippines Darius Tirtosuharto, Central Bank of Indonesia |
| Perspectives on co-creating more inclusive and effective decentralization and localization: Nicola Nixon (The Asia Foundation) [Watch on YouTube] Paul Martin (UNCDF) [Watch on YouTube] | Nicola Nixon, The Asia Foundation Paul Martin, UNCDF |
| Discussion / Q & A | Moderator, audience, and panelists |
Decentralization and Localization in Asia: Experiences from Nepal
Since the adoption of its constitution in 2015, Nepal has been pursuing a federal structure, with elected provincial and local governments now responsible for the delivery of key public services. This presentation and discussion considers the progress, opportunities and challenges faced in the implementation of the new federal system in Nepal.
Wednesday, September 15, 2021: 10 am BKK, 8:45 am KTM / Tuesday, September 14, 2021: 11 pm EDT
| Topic | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Charles Cadwell, Urban Institute |
| Progress, opportunities and challenges in implementing federalism in Nepal [Watch on YouTube] | Meghan Nalbo, The Asia Foundation Bishnu Adhikari, The Asia Foundation |
| Perspectives on co-creating more inclusive and effective decentralization and localization | Egbert Pos, FCDO |
| Discussion / Q & A | Moderator, audience, and panelists |
Decentralization and Localization in Asia: Implications for Public Financial Management
Thursday, September 16, 2021: 10 am BKK / Wednesday, September 15, 2021: 11 pm EDT
| Topic | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Webinar Session | Jamie Boex, Local Public Sector Alliance |
| Decentralization and localization: Implications for Public Financial Management – Bangladesh [Watch on YouTube] | Md. Reaz Uddin Chowdhury, World Bank |
| Decentralization and localization: Implications for Public Financial Management – Nepal [Watch on YouTube] | Timila Shrestha, World Bank |
| Decentralization and localization: Implications for Public Financial Management [Watch on YouTube] | Julia Dhimitri, PEFA Secretariat |
| Perspectives on the nexus between decentralization, service delivery and PFM: Felipe Bardella (IMF) [YouTube] Paul Smoke (NYU) [YouTube] Tim Williamson (World Bank) [YouTube] | Felipe Bardella, IMF Paul Smoke, NYU Tim Williamson, World Bank |
| Discussion / Q & A | Moderator, audience, and panelists |
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