The Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Judith Nabakooba, has been elected Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Specialized Technical Committee on Public Service, Local Government, Urban Development, and Decentralization (STC8).
This was during the Committee’s fifth ordinary sitting held in Mövenpick Hotel Du Lac, Tunis, Tunisia, on Friday.
The session was held in order to renew the Bureau of the AU-STC no 8, to inform on the achievement made by the outgoing Bureau during its term (2022 – 2024) and to deliberate and approve programs for the three (3) Subcommittees of AU-STC no 8 for the period 2025- 2026.
Nabakooba took over from Tunisia’s Minister of Environment, Habib Abid. In her address, Nabakooba expressed her commitment to work with member states and partners to mobilise funds to achieve the goals set.
Background
The Specialized Technical Committees (STCs) were established as important technical bodies of the African Union (AU) under Article 25 of the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community (or Abuja Treaty).
Following the transformation of the Organization of African Unity into the African Union, the Constitutive Act of the African Union provided for the creation of the Specialized Technical Committees, in accordance with Articles 14, 15 and 16.
Each of the Specialized Technical Committees, within the scope of its competence, is mandated to make informed contributions to facilitate the mission of the Executive Council.
They are also responsible for ensuring the development and monitoring of the implementation of AU and REC programs on behalf of the Executive Council.
The Specialized Technical Committee on Public Service, Local Government, Urban Development, and Decentralization (STC8) is one of the key organs of the African Union, mandated to ensure effective governance, public service delivery, and sustainable urban development across Member States.
Nabakooba expressed her commitment to work with member states and partners to mobilise funds to achieve the goals set.
The STC8 has consistently provided a platform for dialogue and collaboration, fostering the development of policies and strategies that promote decentralization, good governance, and sustainable urbanization in Africa.
The AU-STC No. 8 serves as a vital platform for member states to collaborate on enhancing public service delivery, advancing local governance, and promoting sustainable urban development.