Side Event: From planning to implementation, how to localise SDGs in times of crisis?
The objective of the session was to analyse how local and regional authorities have managed to maintain the SDGs as a strategic framework while also responding to other pressing priorities. We discussed the challenges, benefits and principal ways for partnerships and cooperation to manage the interlinkages, synergies and integrated approach promoted by the SDGs.
In order to reach the targets set up in the 2030 Agenda, the session contributed to helping cities to better include SDGs in their local strategies, provide guidance on how local and regional authorities remain driven by the 2030 Agenda, as well as exchanging knowledge and good practices between speakers and the audience.
Localising global agendas has never been more important than today. Localisation of the SDGs can guide, support and accelerate local and regional development, and international cooperation can contribute to a wider exchange of knowledge, and identify transferable best practices across European and global networks of cities and regions. We need to ensure adequate support to local and regional governments, as they are key to ensure that the goals of the 2030 Agenda will be met.
Background
As the level of government closest to the citizens, local and regional governments need to rapidly adapt to respond to the most pressing needs in times of crises. The session discussed the barriers faced by local and regional governments when localising the SDGs during time of crisis. The use of online tools such as the Reference Framework for Sustainable Cities have been used by local and regional governments to re-include SDGs in their long-term local strategies, ensuring that the goals of the 2030 Agenda will be met towards more sustainable and resilient cities for the future.
The session also explored the report “European Territories Localise the SDGs | Making this the Decade of Action” published by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions-PLATFORMA (https://local-sdgs.eu/), on how and to what extent associations and networks of local and regional governments have been involved in the localisation of the SDGs, both in Europe and with their global peers, and in particular during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as other materials produced to analyse how local and regional governments are implementing SDGs through their local strategies.
CEMR; PLATFORMA
