Welcome to the United Nations
In order to reach the further behind first, national governments and local authorities must work together, in close partnership, reflecting vertical synergies and achieving development results at the local level, close to the vulnerable groups. This collaboration is vital for the 2030 Agenda to become a reality. Experience with MDGs suggests that success in implementation will depend on effective local action. This will require the active role of local governments/authorities and communities at the grassroots level.
Local authorities have a unique role to play in political inclusion at the grassroots level. Community-based participation facilitated by local governments is a powerful tool for the achievement of sustainable development. They are best placed to link the global goals with local communities as stakeholders engagement is at the heart of an inclusive 2030 Agenda.
All SDGs have targets that are directly or indirectly related to the daily work of local governments, authorities, and other actors. It is, therefore, essential to include local authorities in policy-making processes and ensure that they have the needed capacity to meaningfully participate in the policy-making for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. Additionally, reliable local data will be an essential tool to monitor progress and to target resources to those most in need.
In this context, local authorities are central in ensuring the link between the global vision and local policies and actions of citizens, as well as in bringing local relevant initiatives into global policy debates, offering lessons learned and best practices. The challenge will be how to build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels, how to enhance vertical cooperation mechanisms, and how to ensure that local authorities are strengthened to deliver on the SDGs.
Possible questions for discussion:
- What is the level of engagement of local authorities in your national sustainable development strategy?
- What are the challenges local governments are facing and what immediate remedies are needed to ensure effective participation? How does the national government help local governments to meet these challenges?
- What is your experience in stakeholder engagement at both national and locals to help foster vertical cooperation and to ensure that the implementation is inclusive?
Chair:
- H.E. Mr. Frederick Musiiwa Makamure Shava, Permanent Representative of Zimbabwe to the UN and Vice President of ECOSOC
Keynote speaker:
- Mr. Kadir Topbaş, Mayor of Istanbul and President of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)
Moderator:
- Mr. Peter Wollaert, Associated Fellow of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and Managing Director of CIFAL Flanders
Panellists:
- Ms. Patrícia Iglecias, State Secretary for Environment for the State of Sao Paulo
- Mr. Hyuk-Sang Sohn, Professor at Kyung Hee University and President, Korean Association of International Development & Cooperation (KAIDEC)
Lead discussants:
- Mr. Stephan Contius, Head of Division at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety, Germany
- H.E. Ms. Rosemarie G. Edillon, Deputy Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Philippines
- Ms. Paddy Torsney, Permanent Observer of the Office of the Inter-Parliamentary Union to the UN
