On 15 July 2024, on the margins of the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) the Global Cities Hub co-organized with UNECE an event “How does the Forum of Mayors contributes to transforming global governance and reinvigorating the multilateral system” in New York hosted by the Permanent Mission of Switzerland.
The HLPF focuses on the theme “Reinforcing the Agenda 2030 and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions”. This year, it reviews the advancement of SDG1 on poverty eradication, SDG2 on zero hunger, SDG13 on fighting climate change, SDG16 on peace, justice and strong institutions, and SDG17 on strengthening partnerships.
The forthcoming Summit of the Future aims to spearhead global action for a brighter tomorrow, including by transforming global governance. It will culminate in the adoption of the “Pact for the Future,” outlining collaborative efforts among the UN community and global stakeholders to shape a more promising future.
The 2024 Forum of Mayors, scheduled for September 30th to October 1st in Geneva—merely a week following the adoption of the Pact in New York— will serve as the Cities Summit of the Future. It will delve into the implications of the Pact for local communities and explore the crucial role of cities in fostering a more prosperous future. Insights and deliberations from mayors will be distilled into a Statement, offering a snapshot of cities’ crucial role in shaping a brighter tomorrow.
The event on the Forum offered insights into its operations, its engagement with States, Regional Commissions, Mayors, its facilitation of mayor-to-mayor connections for innovative initiatives. Speakers explored the challenges and opportunities for local and regional governments in contributing to reinvigorating the multilateral system and in implementing the Pact’s objectives. Cities, as key agents in achieving SDGs at the grassroots level, can contribute to this collective vision for a better future. Mayors, as the frontline representatives of local governance, can play a key role in a more effective multilateral system and lead the charge in translating the Pact’s aspirations into tangible urban initiatives.
Executive Secretary of UNECE Tatiana Molcean underlined belief in the determinant role and further potential of local and regional governments in contributing to implementing SDGs and the Pact’s objectives. Mayors are pivotal changemakers due to their direct engagement with citizens and their unique capacity to mobilize resources and support, including in regions experiencing conflict or crisis. We need to accelerate actions and mobilize efforts locally, because achieving the goals of Agenda 2030 depends on the successes at the local level.
The Pact for the Future generates expectations for a collaborative participation of communities. Good practices already exist, such as the Forum of Mayors in Geneva which has proved to effectively foster exchanges of good practice and to catalyze innovative initiatives. For example, interactions at the Forum of Mayors’ meetings, in Geneva, have led to fruitful exchanges of best practices to advance SDGs at the local level. The 4th Forum of Mayors’ meeting, the ‘Cities Summit of the Future’ will focus on the implications and responsibilities for local authorities from the Pact for the Future that will have been adopted by the Summit of the Future here in New York the week before.
Acting Executive Director of UN-Habitat Michael Mlynàr also stressed that Agenda 2030 will not happen without better involvement of the local level. LRGs might be part of the solution to rescue SDGs through localization. They are responsible for the majority of activities related to sustainable development. 80% of the global GDP is produced in cities, it is all natural that their role is acknowledged.
The presence of a high number of mayors and elected local officials at the HLPF in New York is a positive sign. The AGLRG also plays an important role when it comes to creating a formalized role for LRGs in the UN. The Forum of Mayors can serve as a platform to formulate recommendations for member states to negotiate a permanent basis of participation for LRGs.
State Secretary of the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs Markus Reubi explained that all of the SDGs have targets directly related to the responsibilities of local and regional governments, particularly to their role in delivering basic public services. Let’s think of SDG4 on education, often a competence of local or regional governments, and may think of the vast majority of SDGs. As a consequence, the contribution of LRGs is necessary, if not essential, to accelerate the local implementation of the SDGs as we get closer to the 2030 deadline. For that, we need an international body to discuss the topic and monitor progress – and the Forum of Mayors can be this body.
Developing the Forum of Mayors and focusing on the localization of SDGs results in another significant outcome: more inclusive multilateralism. It embodies both the localization of SDGs and a more inclusive multilateralism and thus, it is important that this initiative be brought to New York, in the framework of the preparations of the Summit of the Future
Mr. Christian Brassac, Deputy Mayor and Vice-President of Eurometropole of Srasbourg and Yves Zimmermann emphasized that the Pact for the Future should bring forward multi-level governance and help strengthen positive synergies between partners globally. Strasbourg is the first city in France to present a VLR. Its approach of freely adapt the SDG framework to the local reality and needs (defining extra goals and targets) might be a best practice. Certain things can be done at the local level which cannot be done at the national and international levels.
President of ESDN Laszlo Borbely explained the value of sharing knowledge and best practices within the network. Strong associations can help to advance the achievement of SDGs, such as the commitment of Romanian cities to reduce emissions by 2030.
GCH advocated for inclusive and effective multilateralism that requires a whole-of-governance approach where the different levels of governments can complement and strengthen each other. We called on member states to consider the Forum of Mayors as an example and a source of inspiration when negotiating the main outcome document of the Summit of the Future, the Pact for the Future. A meaningful mission-oriented dialogue and exchange with local governments must take place at the international level in order to tackle challenges like climate change and inequality. We urged the participating member states to actively involve cities in relevant United Nations work to promote a more inclusive and dynamic multilateralism.
In addition to creating a specific UN status for LRGs, we believe the UN should make the Forum of Mayors – its initiative that gathers mayors from around the world to discuss sustainable development issues – a permanent body with an advisory function to the UN. We also listened to suggestions to create a community of Forum of Mayors participants and continue the forum’s work all year long, even if virtually. Broadening the cercle of participating cities and helping them with capacity building was also recommended.
