Launching of guide for citizen participation & engagement for public management, safe and sustainable cities Ivory Coast

The world is facing a global housing crisis. Africa, although still one of the least urbanized regions on the planet, is experiencing the fastest urban growth rate in the world. Statistics show that 45% of its population lives in cities. This figure is expected to reach nearly 70% by 2050. This rapid pace is transforming the continent, which now faces a structural challenge, as this accelerated urbanization, leads to the formation of slums, the overburdening of services, and a lack of infrastructure in essential sectors such as education, health, water, and sanitation, among others. In such a context, it seems essential to have coordinated, multi-level action, from the State to resident communities and civil society organizations, including local authorities. Each actor in the ecosystem must play a key role in enabling populations to join their voices and chart their paths in defining their development agenda and improving their living environment and conditions, through the sustainable realization of economic, social, and cultural rights, so that no one is left behind. The launch of the methodological guide will be chaired by the Ministry, in the presence of representatives of local government associations (mayors and regional council presidents), technical and financial partners, representatives of civil society, and others. During the launch, the content and approach of the guide will be presented; discussions will be held on the founding principles of an approach to citizen and grassroots community participation and engagement in public management, and the definition of their city’s development agenda; and a call will be launched to invited countries to commit their actions to co-construction for inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities.