A landmark workshop on “Action-Oriented Plans for Implementing Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs)” brought together mayors and city representatives from across the globe to share their experiences on localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as every year, on the margin of the 2024 United Nations Forum of Mayors. Participants, including the mayors of Klang, Buenos Aires, and representatives from Geneva, Dushanbe, Mafra, Lusaka, and Strasbourg, emphasized the critical role cities play in driving sustainable development. The workshop highlighted best practices for developing and utilizing VLRs to assess local progress and shape future strategies.
Speakers praised the efforts of the five United Nations Regional Commissions and UN-Habitat for providing valuable guidelines and support to cities embarking on the VLR process. A full-house discussion reconfirmed the importance of VLRs as tools for local self-assessment and decision-making, offering a fresh perspective on achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
2030 Agenda Progress
Despite the 2030 Agenda being off track globally, including in Switzerland, cities are stepping up to fill the gap. Since 2015, cities have increasingly engaged with the SDGs, incorporating them into their voluntary national reviews (VNRs) and sustainability reports. As cities consume about 75% of global resources and are responsible for an equal share of global emissions, their involvement is crucial to meeting the agenda’s targets.
As the UN Forum of Mayors was held in the aftermath of the Pact for the Future, the event acknowledged the role of cities and regions in localisation of SDGs and the UN Secretary-General should provide recommendations on how engagement with local and regional authorities can further the 2030 Agenda, particularly through SDG localization. This focus on local action is expected to drive new momentum in global efforts, particularly in sustainable urban development and climate action.
All levels of Government: A New Paradigm
Some central governments have already showed openness to include VLR content in their VNRs, which showed the added value of exchanges on all levels of governance.
The UNECE Forum of Mayors and similar platforms offer direct channels for cities and regions to share their solutions with the global community. Cities and regions must no longer be represented solely by national governments or international organizations. Their voices should be heard directly, especially as they are at the forefront of implementing solutions that impact millions of people, said participants. Hence the need of disaggregated data which local and regional governments can produce, and scale it on their level.
The workshop provided three critical takeaways for city leaders:
1. Engagement in Multilateral Discussions: Cities and regions must actively participate in global discussions about solutions. Establishing a Voluntary Local Review (VLR) is a key step to align their strategies with multilateral processes and frameworks.
2. Support from International Organisations and Networks: Numerous organizations, such as UN-Habitat, and UCLG, offer support in developing VLRs.
3. Creating a Positive Narrative: Cities and regions have a unique opportunity to lead the discourse on the 2030 Agenda. Their proximity to citizens and their ability to implement concrete solutions position them as critical drivers of progress. The VLR process is instrumental in shifting the narrative to one of hope and forward-looking action.
Looking Ahead
As cities and regions continue to champion the 2030 Agenda, their role in sustainable development is more important than ever. With their focus on local solutions and their direct engagement in multilateral discussions, cities are poised to drive significant progress in meeting global goals. The collaborative spirit and support available through VLRs are key to ensuring that this progress is not only possible but achievable.
The next editions of UN Forum of Mayors grounded in Geneva, could easily become a platform for VLR presentations and discussions among mayors and with national governments representatives.
Video highlights of the UN Forum of Mayors 2024