A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia and the Committee on Regional Policy and Self-Government of the Parliament of Georgia.

The document aims to develop cooperation between the parties to ensure decentralization and legislative support for local self-government.

The memorandum was signed by the President of the National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia, Mayor of Tbilisi, Kakha Kaladze, and the Chairman of the Committee on Regional Policy and Self-Government of the Parliament of Georgia, Irakli Kadagishvili.

In their speeches, the heads of the association and the committee spoke about the importance of signing the memorandum and noted that cooperation between the legislature and local authorities will significantly contribute to the development of local democracy.

The parties also agreed that cooperation will be based on the principles of transparency, mutual understanding, and respect.

The objectives of the memorandum are to facilitate dialogue between local authorities and the legislature and to plan and implement joint activities that will enhance the decentralization process.

The parties will also discuss the implementation of legislative acts on issues related to local self-government, provide support, identify challenges in the process, recognize existing gaps, and improve the legislative framework.

The memorandum signing ceremony was organized within the framework of the Seventh National Conference of the NALAG Best Practices Program, where the awarding of the winning municipalities of the Best Practices Program also took place.

The event, held at the Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metekhi Palace Hotel, was attended by representatives of the central and executive authorities, as well as members of the non-governmental sector, international organizations, heads of Georgian municipalities, and public officials.