Celebrity media reporter reporting from Conference Room 7 of the United Nations Headquarters：At a crucial meeting held at the United Nations headquarters, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFP), the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESM), and the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth jointly explored how to localize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This meeting holds special significance for the Global Task Force and the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), marking an important milestone set for 2024.
The core agenda of the meeting was to discuss how to localize the rescue plan for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Participants shared experiences brought back from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Summit in September and discussed how 12 alliances could advance these goals at the local level. The aim of the meeting was to establish partnerships towards the direction of future summits and integrate various mechanisms into the process, especially those from the Secretary-General's Advisory Group on Local and Regional Governments.
Additionally, the meeting emphasized the critical role of local and regional governments in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The spirit of UCLG and the Global Task Force at the United Nations is that the UN should listen to the voices of cities. Therefore, the meeting endeavored to create spaces for different types of partnerships, particularly within the Local and Regional Governments Forum.
A key topic this year was the review of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICD3). UCLG signed a memorandum of understanding with FDA and planned to hold a global dialogue with local and regional leaders during the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) to discuss this agenda. Mayor Howard of Mount Vernon delivered a keynote speech, emphasizing the importance of partnerships at the United Nations and sharing her experience as a mayor in ensuring the implementation of international, national, and state policies at the local level.
Mayor Howard also highlighted the significance of local work and local partners in impacting the people of the communities they serve. She mentioned the importance of the "Listen to Cities" campaign and stressed the participation of all stakeholders, including young people and the elderly population.
Other speakers also shared their perspectives and experiences. They discussed how local and regional governments are closer to communities, able to address priorities, and first to face major challenges. They emphasized the responsibility of regional governments in making the implementation and follow-up of the Sustainable Development Goals an inclusive and meaningful process. Additionally, they discussed the diversification of the Local and Regional Governments Forum space over the years and how to attract other stakeholders with their voices, experiences, and information for local lessons learned from the grassroots level.
In summary, the meeting highlighted the key role of local and regional governments in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the importance of establishing partnerships in addressing global challenges. As we move towards the direction of future summits, these discussions and collaborations will be crucial in achieving our goals.
