UN@80: Rethinking Multilateralism with LRGs

The 80^th session of the United Nations General Assembly starts on Thursday, 18 September. A record number of heads of states and governments are expected to speak on this Anniversary. They will most probably address issues related to peace, human development, climate change and planetary sustainability – among others.

After the high-level session, diplomats will continue discussions on several issues of global relevance – most of which have local effects. Pursuant to action 55(e) of the Pact for the Future, the Secretary-General has presented a report providing recommendations to enhance engagement with local and regional governments in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular the localization of the SDGs. We are very much looking forward to deliberations by UN Member States on this particular report.

Report of the Secretary-General (A/79/968)

Some of the statements in the report present a vision of a truly inclusive multilateralism. Local and regional governments “have proven themselves as first responders to global challenges, offering practical, innovative solutions rooted in local realities.” We applaud the call for a bold shift to a formal, permanent and differentiated role for local and regional governments in United Nations intergovernmental processes. “Their inclusion should be institutionalized, strengthened and scaled to advance on shared global commitments, building on the vision for inclusive, networked and effective multilateralism.”

The report reflects the views of the three stakeholders’ groups (UN entities, States, LRGs). “United Nations entities agreed to take a pragmatic approach to strengthening institutional mechanisms, advocating complementary and non-mutually exclusive steps to advance the inclusion of local and regional governments.”

States should discuss and decide on the way forward. Strengthening the capacity of intergovernmental cooperation by including new partners can facilitate finding the right answers to emerging challenges. As the report states, the dialogue with States “identified existing mechanisms that were concrete, practical and cost-effective for enhancing the participation of local and regional governments in United Nations processes. Regional mechanisms, in particular the Forum of Mayors, the Asia-Pacific Urban Forum and the regional forums on sustainable development, were highlighted as effective and scalable options for strengthening the institutional engagement of such governments.”

The GCH, as main partner of the UN Forum of Mayors from its inception, is looking forward to this year’s 5^th edition where mayors will discuss the local dimensions of health and well-being (SDG3), gender equality and women empowerment (SDG5) and inclusive economic growth (SDG8). We consider it of high importance that the Secretary General’s report acknowledges that “[t]he contribution of local and regional governments, as frontline partners, in policy innovation, inclusion, equity and resilience have remained essential in transforming global aspirations into tangible localized impact.”

LRGs are the closest level of governance to citizens and communities. They are the localizing our common global aspirations and advancing the global agenda at the local level. It positions them as key partners in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and broader development objectives to 2030 and beyond.

Including LRGs to give new impetus to multilaterism

The inclusion of LRGs into a renewed multilateralism is key for building a better, more sustainable, and peaceful future for the generations to come. The report of the Secretary-General offers as a possible way forward that “existing institutional mechanisms, such as the Local and Regional Governments Forum under the Economic and Social Council, together with the Forum of Mayors, could, for example, lead to a special forum, such as an Economic and Social Council forum of mayors.”

The GCH believes that the right way forward is to strengthen the institutional role of the UN Forum of Mayors, which it has supported from its inception, and it is eager to work with States to advance its consolidation when they decide to go ahead. The mandate of GCH is connecting local and regional governments to the United Nations and other international organizations – in any existing or emerging form and shape.

Photo: Patrick Gruban – Flickr