Localizing multilateralism: the role of local and regional governments in advancing human rights and SDGs

In a room packed with representatives from more than 30 member states and international organizations, the Global Cities Hub (GCH), in collaboration with the University of Bologna and the Geneva Human Rights Platform, led an engaging discussion on the role of Local and Regional Governments (LRGs) in human rights implementation. The event, organized as a side event to the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC), built on the work initiated a year ago with several HRC resolutions and joint statements and following the Bologna Expert Roundtable on Data Planning and Collection by NMIRFs. It resulted in the publication of “Localizing Multilateralism: the role of LRGs in advancing human rights and the SDGs“.

The discussion highlighted how LRGs play an essential role in promoting and implementing human rights at the subnational level, ensuring that international commitments translate into tangible actions for their residents. Speakers underscored the need for the international human rights system to engage more effectively with LRGs so that they can equip them with the tools, knowledge, and resources to fulfill their human rights obligations.

Bridging the Gap Between Global Norms and Local Realities

LRGs stand at the frontline of delivering essential public services and protecting human rights. Whether it is about ensuring access to housing, improving local infrastructure, or facilitating freedom of assembly, municipalities are the first point of contact for residents who wish to exercise their rights. However, despite their fundamental role in this context, many local governments lack the training and financial resources necessary to navigate international human rights obligations.

The event emphasized that international human rights mechanisms still largely overlook the role of LRGs. There is for instance a pressing need to incorporate LRGs into the Universal Periodic Reviews (UPR). For that, tools created under the SDGs framework for LRGs to report back on their progress (Voluntary Local or Subnational Reviews) may be relied upon to assess human rights at local level.

The publication “Localizing Multilateralism: the role of LRGs in advancing human rights and the SDGs“, officially launched during the side event, provides concrete recommendations on how to strengthen this engagement, particularly by encouraging the collection and use of disaggregated data to assess human rights progress at the local level. It sheds light on a major gap in international human rights governance: the absence of systematic engagement with LRGs in treaty body reviews, Human Rights Council sessions, and UN reporting mechanisms.

“This is just the beginning,” said one of the co-authors. “There is almost no serious research, no significant consideration, and no structured data within the so-called international human rights machinery on the role of LRGs. This must change. States and the UN system must start integrating local governments into human rights discussions, policies, and accountability mechanisms.”

A Call for Action: Recognizing LRGs as Human Rights Actors

“Human rights—our rights—start at the local level,” emphasized Co-Director of the GCH Kamelia Kemileva. “There’s little use in abstract, interstate negotiations or global commitments if they don’t reach the municipalities responsible for turning them into reality.”

The event concluded with a strong message: for human rights to be truly implemented, they must be localized—and that starts by recognizing and empowering the municipalities, cities, and regions that implement human rights commitments for their residents and communities.