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  2. High-Level Political Forum 2022
  3. 2022 Programme
  4. Acting At Local Level

Acting at local level

Local action is required in order to build back better from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) while advancing the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Indeed, it is estimated that at least 100 of the 169 SDG targets will not be reached without proper engagement and co-ordination with local and regional governments. This has been recognized by Member States, which have emphasized the critical role of local and regional governments in SDG implementation and committed to empowering and supporting cities, local authorities and communities in pursuing the 2030 Agenda.

As part of their efforts to localize the 2030 Agenda, local and regional governments are increasingly engaging in reviews of their SDG implementation, also called Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs). VLRs can be a powerful accelerator of SDG implementation. They have the potential to contribute to the collection and analysis of timely, accurate and disaggregated data at the local level; to bring all stakeholders, including those in vulnerable situations, closer to decision-making processes that impact their lives and livelihoods, including access to quality public goods and services. They can also strengthen multilevel governance, foster local planning and inform the elaboration of Voluntary National Reviews. VLRs also promote the adoption of local and regional approaches for the design and implementation of policies that reflect local, regional, national and international contexts and respond, as appropriate, to the specific needs of local communities and geographical areas and institutional settings. VLRs represent a unique tool to foster the link between the SDGs and COVID-19 recovery efforts while providing evidence for the design of COVID-19 recovery plans and priority interventions both at local and national levels. The practice of carrying out VLRs is being taken up not only by capital and large cities but also smaller cities, provinces, and districts, including in rural areas. Member States are also increasingly benefitting from VLRs in their national level reviews. In 2021, they contributed to the preparations of the VNRs of countries including Cabo Verde, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Malaysia, Mexico, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, and Zimbabwe.

The Ministerial declaration of the 2021 high-level political forum on sustainable development noted that the VLRs are a useful tool to show progress and foster exchange in local implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. In his recent Report on Our Common Agenda, the Secretary-General further stated that: “The role of parliaments, cities and other subnational authorities is particularly being recognized in inclusive approaches, with, for example, Voluntary Local Reviews of Sustainable Development Goal implementation providing a model on which to build. Cities, local authorities and specifically VLRs are key actors and processes to advance sustainable development and inclusive multilateralism”. The present session will explore the important and growing role of VLRs in SDG localization and provide an opportunity for the sharing of key lessons from processes to date.

Proposed guiding questions:

  • What are some of the main challenges and bottlenecks for effective implementation of the SDGs at local level? What type of capacity building and support is required to ensure that cities, local authorities and communities are empowered and equipped to implement the SDGs?
  • What innovative approaches have been taken to raise awareness on and demystify the SDGs at local level?
  • How can the VLRs bolster local action to achieve the SDGs and respond to COVID19?
  • What can we learn from the increasing number of VLRs being carried out?
  • What positive examples exist in terms of VLR processes fostering participatory approaches to SDG implementation and to leaving no one behind or gathering data relevant to the SDGs at local level?
  • How do Voluntary Local Reviews and Voluntary national Review inform and strengthen each other?
  • What positive examples exist of dialogue between the national and local levels in terms of SDG implementation?

Chair:

  • Vice President of ECOSOC (Bulgaria)

Interactive panel discussion

Moderator:

  • Ms. Lydia Capolicchio, Swedish journalist

Panellists/Resource Persons:

  • Mr. Mustafa Uzbaş, Deputy Mayor of Konya Metropolitan Municipality, Türkiye
  • Ms. Rose Keffas, Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Nigeria
  • Mr. Ville Taajamaa, focal point for SDG work in the City of Espoo, and Editor in Chief for Espoo VLR2020, Finland

Lead Discussants:

  • Mr. Bruce Frankel, U.S. Liaison, Pass It On Network (MGoS)

Respondents:

  • Mr. Peter Danielsson, Mayor of Helsingborg, Sweden
  • Mr. Ashok Kuman Byanju, Mayor of Dhulikel, Nepal

Interventions of other Ministers and participants (3 minutes each)