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In an address at the ministerial meeting of the fifth ordinary session of the African Union (AU) Specialised Technical Committee (STC) on Public Service, Local Government, Urban Development and Decentralisation, Merad said that Algeria, "aware of the priority nature of local development issues, has launched far-reaching reforms in the local authority sector."

"The reforms have focused on measures to restore the balance of development in the various shadow areas, through complementary development programmes and the creation of new provinces to bring decision-making power closer to citizens."

The initiative of the president of the Republic, in this respect, is intended for the revision of the laws on municipalities and provinces, in line with "the requirements of decentralisation, participative democracy and local economic development," the minister said.

"Algeria is pursuing an approach aimed at creating the conditions necessary for turning local authorities into economic units in a position to support investments that generate wealth and jobs," through a "national comprehensive strategy for the digitization of public services and strengthening remote services, in order to improve and upgrade public services," the statement said.

In the housing sector, Merad said the Algerian state has adopted a "large-scale housing strategy to give people access to decent housing, with the distribution of more than 1.5 million housing units in four years."

"Efforts are underway to modernise the urban fabric and improve the quality of life for residents, taking into account sustainable development requirements."

In the continental level, Merad expressed "Algeria's willingness to share its experience in the discussed areas."

He reiterated "its ongoing commitment to support all initiatives and events organised by the AU and its different bodies in the best interests of African peoples."

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