Strong local governance as the key to sustainable international cooperation

Stable countries start with strong municipalities. That was the central message of ‘The power of cities’, an event organised by VNG International at Nieuwspoort ahead of the Dutch general elections. Parliamentary candidate from VVD, D66, CDA and GroenLinks-PvdA discussed how local governance should play a stronger role in Dutch foreign policy.

Local governments: the first link between citizens and the state

“Municipalities are closest to the people,” said Jan van Zanen, mayor of The Hague and president of UCLG. “They provide the essential services that keep societies running, from clean water to safety. Without their involvement, international ambitions remain just words on paper.”

That conviction drives VNG International’s work worldwide, connecting Dutch expertise in local governance with the realities in partner countries. These initiatives help municipalities plan better, work more closely with citizens, and ensure accountability, which are all crucial for sustainable development. In Lebanon, country representative Ziad Moussa sees the impact every day. He notes that international organizations often leave once funding ends, leaving local authorities behind. “That is why we don’t focus on large investments, but on strengthening knowledge, mediation and administrative skills so municipalities can continue providing essential services themselves in the long run.”

Candidate members of parliament: development policy must be locally rooted

The candidates all agreed on one key point: development cooperation only works when it’s grounded locally. Elles van Ark (CDA) warned: “Without good local governance, trade missions don’t stand a chance”. D66’s Fatimazhra Belhirch stressed the importance of strong institutions: “As a former diplomat, I have seen how crucial it is to to rely on local authorities, not only for trade, but especially to protect vulnerable groups. Hard power alone leads to a cruel peace.” Together with Daniëlle Hirsch (GroenLinks-PvdA), she warned against the proposed cuts to development cooperation. According to Hirsch, development cooperation is more about defining the Netherlands’ position in the world than just ‘helping others’. “As a trading nation, we invest heavily in infrastructure, but those investments should also serve the interests of the people who live there. That requires strong local governments as dialogue partners.”

Call to anchor local governance in foreign policy

The event ended with a shared call to embed the role of local governance more firmly in Dutch foreign policy. VVD’s Thom van Campen summed it up neatly: “With organizations like VNG International, you can make sure that Dutch businesses gain a foothold abroad and do good at the same time.”