Boosting Localization of the SDGs to Propel Transformative Change
As our world grapples with unprecedented challenges, exposing our fragile systems and threatening progress towards the 2030 Agenda, achieving the SDGs requires integrated and cross-sectoral actions. The SDG transitions framework was introduced to promote more inte-grated solutions in order to transform systems related to climate, food, energy, jobs, social protection, education, and digital connectivity.
The crises of our time facing people and planet all have local dimensions, putting additional pressure on prompt and effective local action that ensure no one and no place is left behind. Therefore, localizing the SDGs brings opportunities for shaping responses and planning through innovative, collective, and coordinated pathways for sustainable development close to where people live. As the United Nations Secretary General remarked during the launch of the Advisory Board on Local and Regional governments in October 2023, the SDGs are eminently local and multi-level cooperation is vital to rescue the SDGs, with speed, scale and coordina-tion.
The Joint SDG Fund (the Fund) is the UN flagship global fund to supercharge the UN Develop-ment System to be fit for purpose and to catalyze systemic transitions in areas of cross-sectoral and cross-organisational integrated policy and financing to accelerate the SDGs. The Fund has already invested around US$ 79 million supporting actions for localizing the SDGs. This includ-ed initiatives that worked with neighborhoods, villages, municipalities, districts and more on innovative policy solutions as well as on adopting local approaches and developing financial solutions to mobilize capital for the local level. The Fund recognizes SDG localization as a key pillar of its new strategic approach and a pivotal driver behind all key SDG transitions. None of the six SDG transitions can have its requisite impact without landing at the local level, and this framework ensures that the Fund’s investments lead to tangible transformative outcomes driv-ing local impact.
The Local2030 Coalition is the UN System-wide platform and network for supporting and accelerating the localization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Coalition brings together the UN, local and regional governments and their associations, national governments, businesses, community-based organizations, and other local actors to mobilize, empower and support local stakeholders in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Through the Local2030 Coalition, 14 UN entities are unified around the need to understand and scale up localization action and financing.
The Joint SDG Fund and the Local2030 Coalition joined forces and launched in March 2024 a dedicated funding round focused on supporting catalytic initiatives in 30 countries that can clearly demonstrate the role of SDG localization in accelerating the key transitions for the SDGs. Moreover, the Fund and the Local 2030 Coalition have jointly developed a SDG Localization Marker to identify initiatives that effectively prioritize localization efforts, ensuring both policy coherence and transparent and accountable tracking of allocated financing for SDG localization, and facilitating rigorous monitoring and reporting on the progress achieved in localizing the SDGs.
The event will convene diverse partners and frame the conversation around the role of the Joint SDG Fund and Local 2030 Coalition in supporting national, regional and local governments overcome impediments to financing and advancing the SDGs at the local level. The event will build on the practical local solutions of three countries, will showcase Spain’s leadership of the SDG Localization agenda and highlight USAID’s best practices to further enrich the conver-sation with a different perspective.
Catch the live stream here.
Key Objectives:
· Promoting Integrated and Cross-Sectoral Actions at the local level: Highlight the importance of integrated solutions tailored to the local dimensions and the importance of prompt and effective local action to ensure inclusivity and leave no one behind.
· Advancing SDG Localization: Showcase success stories for shaping responses and planning through innovative, collective, and coordinated action for sustainable development at the local level.
· Highlighting Multi-level Cooperation: Stress the significance of multi-level cooperation in rescuing and accelerating progress towards the SDGs.
· Leveraging the United Nations system: Illustrate the role of the United Nations Joint SDG Fund and Local 2030 Coalition in catalyzing systemic transitions at the country level, with a focus on supporting SDG localization efforts through policy and financing initiatives.
Overall, the event aims to convene partners to discuss and strategize on overcoming impediments to financing and advancing the SDGs at the local level and drawing insights from successful initiatives and partners worldwide.
Supporters
- United Nations Joint SDG Fund
- Local2030 Coalition
Format
The event will be in-person and web-streamed.
Language
English
Programme and Speakers
Master of Ceremony:
Opening (15 min)
13:00 – 13:15
Opening remarks (15 min)
- Mr. Sergio Colina, Director General for Development Policies, Spain (7 min)
- Ms. Paula Fernandéz-Wulff, Director General for the 2030 Agenda, Government of Spain (7 min)
Panel discussion (65 min)
Moderator: Mr. Sébastien Vauzelle, Head, Local2030 Coalition Secretariat, Local2030 Coalition
13:15 – 14:20
- Speaker 1: Ms. Elena Panova, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Egypt (12,5 min)
- Speaker 2: Ms. Maricela Hernández, Executive Director, Instituto de Fomento y Asesoría Municipal of Costa Rica (12,5 min)
- Speaker 3: Hon. Victoria Mozgacheva, Deputy Mayor of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (12,5 min)
- Fire chat: Mr. Kevin Nelson, Urban Governance Lead, Bureau of Development, Democracy and Innovation, USAID (12,5 min)
Closing (10 min)
14:05 – 14:15
Closing remarks
- Sergio Oliete Josa, Head of Unit for Sustainable Transport and Urban Development, European Commission (10 min)
