Local and regional leaders at the HLPF: Getting local SDG actions onto the fast track

More than 30 local and regional leaders are heading to New York to advocate for their vital role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). Among them is Clifford Galea Vella Maslennikov, President of the Tramuntana Region (Malta) and a member of the CEMR-PLATFORMA Young Elected Officials Committee. He also signs the foreword of this year’s study on SDG localisation.

Galea Vella Maslennikov sends a strong and hopeful message:

“I firmly believe that localising the SDGs through inclusive processes that engage all levels of government, and all sectors of society […] is in fact the key to building a more inclusive, just, and sustainable future for all.”

This year’s report includes contributions from 31 associations of local and regional governments and puts forward nine key recommendations to the United Nations, the European Union, and EU Member States.

Local governments in dialogue with Member States

In recent years, the United Nations has increasingly acknowledged the essential role of local action in advancing global sustainability, including through various HLPF initiatives. However, the degree of involvement of local and regional governments – and their associations – in national SDG reporting processes still varies significantly from one country to another.

This year, Malta is one of 37 countries presenting a Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the HLPF. Three other countries with membership within CEMR – Bulgaria, Finland, and Germany – will also present their VNRs. Our latest study provides insights into how these four nations have involved local authorities in shaping their national SDG reports.

It also gives details about the progress made in achieving the five SDGs under review this year: SDG 3 (Good health and well-being), SDG 5 (Gender equality), SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth), SDG 14 (Life below water), and DSG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Over 30 local and regional leaders representing Europe

Next week, PLATFORMA and CEMR, in collaboration with the Global Task Force of Local and Regional Governments (GTF), will represent European cities and regions at the HLPF, under the auspices of the UN.

Their participation aims to fast-track the localisation of the SDGs and ensure that local voices are not only heard, but also acted upon.

Here are some of the events they will attend:

15 July, Local and Regional Governments’ Networking Hub, with the launch of the GTF Annual Report “Towards the Localization of the SDGs”, by the GTF and UCLG
16 July, 8th Local and Regional Governments Forum on the 2030 Agenda, by UCLG, GTF, UN-DESA, the Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General, UN Habitat, UNDP, Local2030
17 July, EU delegation – local leaders breakfast meeting, by CEMR and PLATFORMA
17 July, HLPF Official Session on Localisation: “Transformation from the ground up: Acting at local level”, by UN
18 July, VNR Lab on Local and Regional Governments engagement in VNR/VLR processes, by UN-DESA, UN-Habitat, and UCLG