Public Private Collaboration at the 8th GCC Municipal Conference – Abu Dhabi, UAE

8th GCC Municipal Conference – April 8-9, 2014 – Abu Dhabi, UAE

StrategyCorp’s John Matheson took to the stage at the 8th GCC Municipal Conference in Abu Dhabi to discuss the merits of Public-Private Collaboration. Organized under the slogan “Sustainable Municipal Services to Enhance the Quality of Life”, the Conference focused on:
– Best Practice and Municipal Projects: Sustainable Urban Planning and Built Environment
– Smart Government, Innovation and Technology
– Customer Services and Community Partnership

The Municipal Affairs Practice Group Lead, John spoke to participants on the topic of “Public-Private Collaboration: Municipal Experience from Canada”. He explored how the private sector can collaborate with municipalities to enable new or more efficient municipal services; the key elements for making a public-private partnership successful; and, the mechanisms available to ensure the public interest is enhanced when services are contracted out to the private sector. He offered a unique Canadian perspective on the evolution of policy frameworks, the importance of defending the public interest, and assembling the right team to ensure successful partnerships.

The GCC Municipal Conference and Exhibition is attended by over 2,500 visitors, and includes more than 500 delegates and 50 international speakers. Attendees have access to networking programs, keynote speeches, panel debates and case-study demonstrations. Organized by the Department of Municipal Affairs, the Ministry of Environment and Water, and co-organized by the Cooperation Council of Arab States, the Conference is hosted under the patronage of the Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.