Towards the localization of the SDGs

At a side-event to the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), facilitated by UCLG, the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments, launched its third report to the HLPF: "Towards the Localization of the SDGs".

At a side-event to the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), facilitated by UCLG, the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments, launched its third report to the HLPF: "Towards the Localization of the SDGs".

For the third year in a row, UCLG provides a complementary assessment of the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). It shows that, once more, less than half of the voluntary countries (19 out of 47) have consulted local and regional government in preparing the VNR.

The Report explores the involvement of Local and Regional Governments (LRGs) in the ‘localization’ of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It delivers first-hand information from LRGs in 80 different countries, including 24 of the 47 countries reporting in 2019. It also presents an overview of policies and initiatives carried out by LRGs to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.

PSI General Secretary, Rosa Pavanelli, spoke at the event, highlighting the critical role of quality public services for the implementation of SDG 8 - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

Rosa Pavanelli, PSI General Secretary

We need to rethink the way public services are provided, their crucial role in granting people rights and the important role LRGs play in achieving not only #SDG8 but all of the #2030Agenda"

PSI defends local, municipal and regional government workers, so they can deliver socially just and inclusive cities for all.

The availability and accessibility of quality public services for both local communities and economic actors is an essential factor for any territory and community seeking to foster inclusive, sustainable growth. The past few decades have been dominated by neoliberal and austerity policies that have mandated the outsourcing, externalization and partial (PPPs) or whole privatization of many vital public services such as water, transport, electricity, waste and health services resulting in services being run with the primary goal of making shareholders’ returns rather than improving service quality and access.

These policies - often imposed in a top-down manner and without consultation on subnational governments - have severely restrained the powers of local authorities to pursue their mandates and service local communities. As a result, the evident failures of public service privatization are fuelling a marked trend of public service re-municipalization that is emerging worldwide.

As public employers, Local and Regional Governments (LRGs) are responsible for the employment conditions of subnational government workers in charge of local policy implementation and public service provision. Upholding workers’ rights, social dialogue and collective bargaining in local government can also foster employee engagement and accountability and have proved critical in helping find constructive solutions to the many challenges LRGs face in times of austerity and fiscal consolidation.

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