The Supporting Program to Lebanese Municipalities, set up with the support of the Diputacion de Barcelona, aims at reinforcing good governance in Lebanon and has allowed since 2009 to launch several initiatives as regards decentralisation, dialogue with national and international actors involved in the field of local development in Lebanon.

In the framework of the Programme, the Representation of UCLG in Lebanon and Jordan organised the International Forum for Decentralised Cooperation in Lebanon from 24 to 26 November in Beirut (Lebanon).

The Forum enabled to discuss on concrete actions for decentralisation and for the reinforcement of Lebanese municipalities, allowing to share experiences between different cooperation actors through networks of local authorities. New long-term partnerships were set up and will bring technical, financial and methodological support.

The Forum was the opportunity to discuss the improvements of existing partnerships and projects, as well as advantages of decentralised cooperation in the global understanding of decentralisation.

Participants included local elected officials and tecnical staff from Lebanese municipalities, representatives from local authorities around the world, city networks, representatives from Ministries, Embassies and donors.

Mr. Béchir Odeimi, Representative of UCLG for Lebanon and Jordan and Director for the Tecnical Bureau of the Lebanese Cities opened the Forum, and was followed by Mr. Bilal HAMAD, Myor of Beirut and President of the Lebanese Mayors Committee, Mr. Mehmet DUMAN, Secretary General of UCLG MEWA, Mr. Ferran CIVIL ARNABAT, Vice-President of the Diputacion de Barcelona and Mayor of Cercs (Spain) H.E. Juan Carlos GAFO ACEVEDO, Ambassador of Spain to Lebanon, Mr. Kadir TOPBAS, President of UCLG and Mayor of Istanbul, H.E. Marwan Charbel, Ministor of Interior and of Local Authorities of Lebanon.