The Committee on Decentralisation and Local Self-Government, chaired by the Government of the Province of Barcelona, has as its main objective to strengthen decentralisation and local-self government processes with the aim of improving local governance in every region of the world. The work of the Committee contributes to the strategy of the World organisation of United Cities and Local Governments on this field.  

This virtual space would like to encourage debate on the current situation of decentralisation as well as its future challenges. The achievement of such an ambitious goal requires the application of coordinated efforts. Therefore, this space welcomes contributions form all local and regional governments and their associations, as well as our partners central and regional governments, international organisms and research and academic institutions, who work for an effective decentralisation and good and democratic governance, in favour of local populations. 

The Committee members focus their work in the following specific objectives:

Promoting effective decentralisation and local-self-government
The Committee fosters the exchange of knowledge and the analysis of experiences on decentralisation policies and the implementation of local self-government.

Supporting the Global Observatory on Decentralisation and Local Democracy
The Committee supports the implementation of the UCLG Global Observatory on Decentralisation and Local Democracy and its subsequent development. It follows the monitoring of decentralisation processes in the different regions of the world carried out within the framework of the Observatory. The Committee is member of the network of institutions and experts working with UCLG on the issues of decentralisation and strengthening of local self-government.

Lobbying for the adoption of international principles on decentralisation
Another important focus of the Committee has been lobbying for the adoption of the draft Guidelines on Decentralisation by the UN-HABITAT Governing Council in 2007. It is currently working for the effective implementation of the Guidelines in all the world regions.