On the occasion of the celebration of the United Nations International Public Service Day (June 23rd each year) and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of this Day (2003-2023), the Pan-African organization of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa) and Public Services International (PSI) (for the Africa Region and Arab World) are organizing a Virtual Conference, on Monday, June 26th, 2023, which will focus on: “Celebrating and Honoring Workers in the Waste Management Sector: Peer Learning between Mayors and Workers’ Representatives”.
The theme aligns with the vision for Africa of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) which aims to: “Extend regular and reliable waste collection services to all. Safe disposal of residual waste to sanitary engineered landfills, while maximizing the recovery of secondary resources from these waste streams through social and technological innovations appropriate for Africa”.
The activity is also part of the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between UCLG Africa and PSI in May 2021, which aims to contribute to the implementation and localization of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8 on the promotion of Decent Work, the promotion of the quality of Local Public Services, and the structuring of Social Dialogue between employers and representatives of civil servants, employees and agents at the level of Local and Regional Governments.
The International Public Service Day aims to highlight the value and virtue of the Public Service to the community, to underline the contribution of the Public Service to the development process, and to honor and celebrate Civil Servants (leaders, managers, executives, agents, employees) in the Public Service.
The meeting will see the participation of Local and Regional Governments (cities / communes/ municipalities) involved in the Pilot Program launched by UCLG Africa and PSI as part of the implementation of their Memorandum of Understanding and agreed between the Parties during their meetings in May 2023 in Casablanca (Morocco). These are six African cities/communes/municipalities that have demonstrated their commitment to promoting quality public services and decent work, particularly in the waste management sector. They are:
- the City of Casablanca in Morocco (North Africa),
- the City of Abuja in Nigeria (West Africa),
- the Municipality of N’Djamena in Tchad (Central Africa),
- the Municipality of Temeke in Tanzania (East Africa),
- the Municipality of Mazabuka in Zambia and the City of Manzini in Eswatini (Southern Africa).
The Conference will also be attended by Representatives of Unions from these cities, as well as representatives of Local and Regional Governments, International Organizations, civil servants, territorial managers, actors of training and capacity building, and representatives of the private sector and civil society.
The opening ceremony will feature speeches by:
- Mr. Juwang Zhu, Director of the Public Institutions and Digital Government Division, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, New York.
- Mr. Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General of UCLG Africa.
- Mr. Sani Baba Mohammed, Secretary of PSI Africa.
- A Representative of the International Labor Office – Africa Region.
The theme of the virtual conference will be introduced by Dr. John Mary Kauzya, Former United Nations Civil Servant, Senior Expert in Administration and Public Governance, Uganda.
A Peer Learning Moment is scheduled between the Mayors and Unions involved in the Pilot Program of UCLG Africa and PSI, in addition to testimonies from employees/agents/civil servant of the Waste Management Sector at the level of some African cities.
