In the "Fifth Africities Summit Declaration", adopted on Sunday unanimously at the end of the summit, the participants called on decision-makers and local development players to define the local policy objectives to address the financial crisis.

    "For Africa, the way out of the crisis cannot be only economic and technical, but also through the establishment of its own values of dignity, ethics and cultural deep-rootedness," the declaration said.

    They said Africa is facing several major challenges, particularly debts, poverty and global warming, adding that the continent "is not poor but has become impoverished."

     The participants said the Africities Summit is a forum for expertise exchange and technical and political dialogue. It is also, they said, a forum for proposals, initiatives and strategic dialogue to assess decentralization and sustainable development policies.

    They also called for reinforcing the role of the Organisation of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA), which aimes at establishing concerted cooperation between the African local and regional elected officials.

    Held under the patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, the 5th Africities Summit addressed a host of issues related to local governments and their role in tackling the current economic crisis.