Localising the Sdgs through global urban partnerships - collaborative experiences from Belgium, Portugal and their partners

Localising the SDGs: cities and municipalities are increasingly doing this in collaboration with other local governments and actors worldwide. Get inspired how (international) cooperation leads to more sustainability (locally).

Joana Maria da Mota de Abreu

Facilitator

November 7, 2024 | 09:00 - 10:30

SDGs in Action - room B

Vereniging van Vlaamse Steden en Gemeenten

Belgium

English

Reference:

SDG-B 11

WUF12

SDGs in Action

Summary

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a roadmap for cities to drive significant global change. However, for cities to effectively contribute to achieving the 2030 Agenda locally, they must systematically address the complexities posed by the principles of the SDGs and adapt it to their own context. Cities, acting as micro systems, with their diverse characteristics, offer valuable insights into understanding the connections and intersections between SDG principles.
Localising SDGs requires tailored approaches that take into account local priorities, challenges, and resources, and involves engaging local governments, civil society organisations, businesses, and citizens in the implementation process. By localising the SDGs, communities can more effectively address pressing social, economic, and environmental issues within their own contexts, ultimately contributing to the achievement of the broader global goals.
Participative and collaborative work between municipalities, local communities, private enterprises and various actors will be showcased to highlight the crucial need to build capacities at the local level to enhance and monitor the SDGs. This session will explore the critical role of localizing the SDGs in urban setting, focusing on the synergy between global initiatives and local actions.

Three presentations will set the stage for an engaging panel dicussion:
1. UN-Habitat’s SDG Cities Programme supports cities worldwide in integrating and localizing the SDGs. Xiaoqing Wang, Program Coordinator for Asia Pacific at UN Habitat’s SDG Localization and Local Governments team
2. The Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA), in collaboration with The Belgian Development Agency (Enabel), developed a localisation plan to steer SDGs in action at the local level, fostering intercity peer to peer learning to drive the SDG agenda. Abdallah Anati, APLA executive manager and Oday Al Jabari, Local Governance Expert at Enabel.
3. Flemish cities and towns are internationally recognised as forerunners in the local translation of the SDGs. However, they also look beyond their municipal borders and realise the 2030 Agenda together with partners worldwide through international SDG campaigns, cooperation with their city-to-city partners and the establishment of specific SDG partnerships between local governments. Karlien Gorissen, international policy officer at VVSG

Following the presentations, a panel discussion will feature:
• Marta Gomes, Executive Councillor for the Mayor of Mafra, Portugal
• Ricardo Rio, Mayor of Braga, Portugal
• Karlien Gorissen, international policy officer, VVSG, Belgium
• Abdallah Anati, executive manager, APLA, Palestine
• Oday Al Jabari, Local Governance Expert, Enabel, Palestine
• Moderator: Joana Maria da Mota de Abreu, project coordinator sustainable cities, CESOP

The panel will address questions from the audience throughout the discussion to ensure an interactive and engaging session.

Objectives

Demonstrate the Importance of Localizing SDGs: Highlight the need to adapt Sustainable Development Goals to local contexts to effectively address specific urban challenges and maximize the use of local resources.

Showcase Advancements in the SDG Cities – Lusophone Initiative: Present the progress and challenges of this initiative, offering valuable insights for cities interested in partnering with UN-Habitat to accelerate local SDG implementation.

Showcase Successful Partnerships: Provide examples of how municipalities, civil society organizations, businesses, and citizens collaborate worldwide to advance local SDG implementation, illustrating the power of collective action.

Highlight Diverse Approaches to SDG Localization: Explore strategies such as peer-to-peer learning, inclusive governance, and multi-stakeholder engagement, demonstrating how these methods can be tailored to unique urban settings.

Share Tangible Outcomes and Lessons Learned: Offer concrete results and insights from collaborative SDG efforts to inspire other cities and regions to adopt and replicate successful approaches.

Foster Mutual Learning and Exchange: Create a platform for urban actors to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices, facilitating accelerated progress towards sustainable urban development globally.