Cotonou: AIMF 2023 Congress
More than 300 mayors and representatives of capital cities and metropolises from 54 countries have been invited by Mayor Luc S. Atrokpo to meet in Cotonou from October 11 to 14, 2023, for the annual Congress of the Association Internationale des Maires Francophones.
Through this meeting at the highest level, the Mayors intend to convey loud and clear their ambition for decentralized cooperation built on new foundations, which can nurture the changes in outlook and attitudes that the world needs.
At a time when “development cooperation” has shown its limits, the AIMF intends to go even further in deepening its model, which gives priority to expertise from the South and supports innovative programs designed and implemented by municipalities.
Finally, in the face of the crises that are particularly topical in the French-speaking world, and the exacerbation of public debates, the aim will be to highlight the importance of city diplomacy for understanding between peoples and for peace.
What role can city diplomacy play in a world in crisis?
Mayors’ functions place them in close touch with the day-to-day concerns of their populations. From “local diplomacy” to international arenas, they play a key role in opening up to dialogue and to the viewpoints of others.
The Cotonou Congress will focus on the role of sub-regional dialogue between local authorities. For more than 10 years, the AIMF has been supporting these initiatives, which help to boost the socio-economic development of territories, support local residents in regional crises that affect them directly, and build ways out of crises.
Cities and platforms from the Great Lakes region, the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia will be sharing their experiences, and exchanging views with mayors from the Sahel who are facing crisis situations. A discussion will also be held on the challenges and ways of pursuing decentralized cooperation during political and security crises.
With cities, pragmatic and concrete cooperation in the French-speaking world
From Bamako to Montreal, via Geneva and Kinshasa, the diversity of our major cities’ populations is the fruit of our history, that of La Francophonie. It’s a Francophonie that’s not just about language, but also about the many economic and social connections between the inhabitants of French-speaking towns and cities. International cooperation between municipalities reflects this reality, and is expressed through South-South, South-North and North-North cooperation.
The AIMF Congress will be an opportunity for cities to follow up on these programs, which are carried out for the direct benefit of local residents, and which contribute to strengthening territorial expertise.
As at each of its meetings, the AIMF Bureau, chaired by the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, will examine the subsidy program for projects supported and implemented by member municipalities.
It will also propose a new Strategic and Operational Program 2024-2028 to the General Assembly. This strategy will reflect AIMF’s new cooperation model and the association’s unique approach, consolidated by over 40 years’ experience working alongside cities and their inhabitants.
For further information: https://www.aimf.asso.fr/evenement/cotonou-congres-2023-de-laimf/
