Knowledge Exchange for Inclusive and Innovative Approaches for Sdgs Localization Harnessing Data, City Measurement and Best Practices for local sustainable development

In response to the pressing need for accelerated action on sustainable urban development, this event serves as a platform for cities and organizations worldwide to come together, share experiences, and explore various approaches towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the local context, applying a specific focus on an inclusive and innovative approach.

The event will bring together the perspectives of city/municipal leaders as well as practitioners working in city data and local SDG implementation. The discussion will pull on three prominent initiatives dedicated to advancing sustainable urban development, the Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award) , SDG Cities Global Initiative, and CitiIQ Measurement System. The Shanghai Award recognizes cities for their outstanding progress in implementing the 2030 Agenda and the New Urban Agenda. Meanwhile, the SDG Cities Global Initiative aims to support over 1000 cities in accelerating their achievement of the SDGs, impacting approximately 1 billion lives. Finally, the CitiIQ Measurement System demonstrates a key measurement tool integrated into the SDG Cities Initiative that helps cities diagnose and monitor local SDG progress.

By combining perspectives and discussing the different initiatives, the event facilitates cross-learning, knowledge exchange, and collaboration, amplifying the impact of sustainable development efforts globally. The event will be structured into two focused sessions, each addressing key thematic areas relevant to sustainable urban development:

Session 1: Innovative Approach for Sustainable Development
This session highlights cross-sectoral, creative solutions for adopting and localizing the SDGs, emphasizing novel methodologies and community-driven initiatives that address sustainability challenges. The session showcases innovative data collection frameworks, financing mechanisms, useful tools, and grassroots initiatives, stimulating creativity, fostering experimentation, and catalyzing transformative change in urban development approaches.

Session 2: Inclusive Approach for Sustainable Development
This session centres on showcasing cities' inclusive approaches to adopting and localizing the SDGs within their communities and the importance of aligning community-level priorities with the SDGs. Participating cities and organizations will present strategies and initiatives ensuring SDGs' integration into local policies, plans, and actions promoting inclusivity and leaving no one behind. Through interactive discussions, participants explore innovative methodologies, participatory processes, VLR practices and inclusive governance structures fostering social cohesion and building resilient, inclusive communities.