The integrated approach of the SDGs offers the opportunity to explore innovative strategies and relationships to reinforce the dialogue and collaborative approaches between all spheres of government. This is not only indispensable for the achievement of the SDGs but also provides an unprecedented opportunity to update governance mechanisms and make them fit for purpose to make societies more resilient and able to face the challenges of the future. The policy coherence and cross-level, transversal means of implementation demanded by SDG 17.4 require a change of mind-set which can only be triggered by the harmonization of development plans between the national and sub-national levels. National governments should consider ambitious legal and administrative reforms to facilitate multilevel governance, strengthen sub-national governments’ capacities and reduce the different institutional gaps (administrative, fiscal, and political). Progressive and effective decentralization should be at the core of the creation of an ‘enabling environment’ for sub-national governments, and for the localization of the SDGs. The financing of the localization of the SDGs deserves specific attention but is not sufficiently covered in the VNRs. Intergovernmental frameworks will be needed that adequately empower, fund and incentivize subnational governments. Finally, our constituency would like to call on the HLPF to pay specific attention to localization of the agenda. Reporting from a local perspective and show-casing what is being done can be truly enriching and provide visibility that rewards local governments that are implementing the SDGs and foster local involvement where they are not. We are aware that the journey towards the achievement of the SDGs has just begun and that results will not be immediate, we are also not able to predict the urgencies that will be faced by our communities in this changing world. We know, however, that whatever the challenge local needs must be at the heart of our work and must complement national policies and global visions. We hope our efforts can be properly acknowledged and harnessed. In the meantime, allow us to reiterate the commitment of our organized constituency, which is ready to guarantee the wellbeing of our communities by contributing to the achievement of the Global Goals that unite us.
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