UCLG Mayors Delegation On the eve of the world leaders summit on 14-16 September 2005, a mayors’ delegation from all world regions met with Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General, and Jan Eliasson, President of the UN General Assembly, for a constructive dialogue on the role of local governments in international development. During the meetings Mr Annan reaffirmed the “critical role” of local authorities in key MDG domains including education, the fight against poverty, health, water, sanitation and gender equality, and Mr Eliasson declared himself an ally of local government and assured the delegation that, although it would not be an easy task, he would “bring this [the delegation’s] message to the negotiation table.”
Outcome of the Millennium + 5 Summit Governments meeting at the Summit of Heads of State in New York on 14-16 September 2005 explicitly recognised the important role of local authorities in contributing to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. The Summit outcome document contains important advances for local government. Local authorities are mentioned first as major actors with the United Nations (title of the subchapter 172175) and are explicitly mentioned as a partner of the UN. A specific paragraph is dedicated to local government’s contribution to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (Paragraph 173) and the document opens up new possibilities for direct dialogue between the General Assembly and the world organisation of local governments (Paragraph 175).
UCLG Co-President Paco Moncayo, Mayor of Quito, led the delegation which held meetings with Mr Annan and Mr Eliasson. In addition to highlighting the information gap between strategic planning at the global level and policy implementation at the local level which is hindering progress on the MDGs, the delegation also presented Mr Annan with the Local Government Millennium Declaration. As part of the UCLG Millennium Towns and Cities Campaign, some
1,000 cities, local governments and national local government associations from across the world signed the declaration. In the declaration, local governments commit their full support for the United Nations Millennium Development Goals whilst simultaneously requesting a formal advisory role at the UN. Such a role would enable them to contribute their invaluable insight in global decision-making which will be crucial to achieving the MDGs.
Beyond 2015 UCLG is developing a strategy to position local authorities in the global debates that are crucial for the definition of the future UN development agenda, namely: the Agenda Post-2015 and the New Urban Agenda. It is mobilising its membership and strengthening partnerships with civil society, academics and the private sector. UCLG is calling its members to participate in the national and regional consultations. At global level, the organization has identified priorities among the 9 issues that are being discussed. The President of UCLG will be able to transmit these perspectives through the work of the High Level Panel post-2015.
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