On 21 September 2016, members of ‘Modernization of local public services in the Republic of Moldova’ (MLPS) project Steering Committee met in a working session to discuss the progress, activities and challenges of the project in the period January – September 2016 and activities to be implemented in the next 3 years.

The event was attended by Anatol Usatii, viceminister of Regional Development and Construction  and representatives of Ministry of Regional Development and Constructions (MRDC), presidents of  Regional Development Councils (RDC), directors of Regional Development Agencies (RDA), MLPS project advisors.

Philipp Johannsen, GIZ country director and MLPS project manager mentioned that GIZ will continue to support the Republic of Moldova in promoting regional development policy. ‘It is very important to improve the framework conditions for the implementation of regional development policy in local public services priority sectors, such as water supply and sanitation, solid waste management and energy efficiency in public buildings… And, the citizen and the population of the Republic of Moldova in general is and have to be the key element in this process’, underlined Philipp Johannsen.

In turn, Igor Malai, deputy head of MRDC General Directorate for Regional Development thanked GIZ/MSPL for the assistance and support provided during the five years of partnership.  ‘It is very important to focus on capacity building and relevant trainings, as this is the only way to achieve the objectives set. It is, also, important to have an efficient spirit of cooperation and collaboration in our joint activity’, stated Igor Malai.

During the event, Philipp Johannsen made an overview presentation of project activities carried out in the 2016-2018 period, noted the details related to the steering structure and mentioned the role and mandate of partner institutions involved. In turn, MLPS advisors – Angela Dumitrasco, Petru Veverita, Dietrich Hahn and Simon Böhler – talked about the achievements within the four areas of intervention in the period January – September 2016 and made strategic presentations per each area in terms of activities planned for the next 3 years. Each presentation was concluded by highlighting the challenges and future risks which were discussed in the questions and answers session. 

The project ‘Modernization of local public services in the Republic of Moldova’ is implemented by the German Development Cooperation through GIZ and is financially supported by the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Swedish Government, the Romanian Government, the European Union and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

For more details discussed during the event please access the presentation HERE.