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Summary BACKGROUND This report provided evidence of the current and potential role of local and regional governments (LRG) in the ‘localization’ of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It complements the Voluntary National Reports (VNRs) submitted by 65 Member States and UN agencies to the High Level Political Forum (HLPF) in 2016 and 2017 with information provided directly by local and regional governments (LRGs) from 30 countries. The report – the first of an annual series coinciding with national reports to the HLPF – pays particular attention to the growing involvement of LRG in the dissemination and adaptation of the SDGs at local level. In a majority of the countries that have reported to the HLPF in 2016 and 2017, LRGs are in charge of key policy areas relating to the achievement of SDGs 1, 2, 3, 5, 9 and 14.
GOOD PRACTICES Local governments are developing multidimensional, territorialized and pro-poor policies LRGs are fostering strong partnerships with organized communities to ensure secure land tenure, upgrade slums, provide access to basic public services, and create better job opportunities. ‘Territorialized alimentary systems’ are contributing to improve production, processing, transport and consumption of food (e.g., the 100 Local Initiatives for Responsible and Sustainable Eating).
Associations of LRG play a significant role in raising awareness of the SDGs. In many countries LRG associations have created fora, developed outreach campaigns, drafted charters, organized regional ‘tours’ on the SDGs, been active in mapping initiatives by LRGs and fostering exchange, and provided training and communication resources. Many metropolitan areas and regions are making significant progress and have already become drivers of positive change. The role of global associations of LRGs is also crucial in ensuring the widespread commitment to the SDGs.
‘Be Counted’ campaign for better data on the proportion of women elected to local office LRGs associations have launched the ‘Be Counted’ campaign for the development of better and more reliable data on women’s representation in local government in line with indicator 5.5.1. In the VNR, 12 countries made the effort to include data on this question. Peru was the only country to include data on the proportion of women in its national parliament, local governments and mayoralties.
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