0w2010 01 RESUM EJECUTIVO 01 DEFcarta ang
26/10/10
21:17
PĂĄgina 6
PREFACE 6
United Cities and Local Governments
Our world organization, United Cities and Local Governments, has estimated that 200 billion USD is needed annually, over the next 25 years, for investment in cities of developing countries to ensure that the most marginalized communities receive essential services in order to reduce poverty and slum development. For developed countries, the Report equally signals the constraints on local finance in responding to structural changes –aging populations, migratory fluctuations, reductions in energy use and CO2 emissions, and risk prevention. But above all, it signals against the tendency to unload on local governments where they are not directly responsible, a disproportionate weight of budgetary and financial deficits through the assigning of new responsibilities without the necessary funding. I can only support the conclusions of this Report on the need to establish new political regulations between central and local governments in each country, as well as at the world level. A strengthened dialogue between the different levels of government is therefore indispensable so as to ensure a better sharing of means and competencies, a better balance between democracy and solidarity, two pillars on which the future of our countries, cities and populations is balanced, two principals based in the cardinal notions of justice and responsibility.
Bertrand DelanoĂŤ