Local Government Act (Arab Union)

The Local Government Act, 2004 (Arabic: قانون الحكومة المحلية لعام ٢٠٠٤ qānūn al-ḥukūmah al-maḥallīyah li-‘ām arba‘ah wa-alfayn) is an act of the Arab Congress, which for the first time standardised local government and administrative division hierarchy in the Arab Union. Prior to its passing, each of the republics of the Arab Union had their own legislation with respect to local government, the form and organisation of which varied between republics; the Act formally repealed existing legislation, and while creating a single standard across all jurisdictions, left the republics individually responsible for recognising local government entities incorporated in accordance with said standards. The Act also abolished multiple tiers of local government where they existed, creating purely administrative districts into which local councils are grouped, and provided for the incorporation of combined authorities whereby multiple local councils may pool resources and share administration of specific services.