To highlight the important role of local leaders in delivering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and facilitate dialogue on their implementation, the Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities (RALGA) brought together high level, multi-stakeholders, including local governments and civil society organisations, at a meeting on 17 March in Bugesera District, Rwanda.
The dialogue was part of a pilot project in CLGF's EU-funded programme on  Strengthening local government’s role as a partner in development.  RALGA Secretary-General, Mr Egide Rugamba provided details of the background and objectives of the project yo participants. In his opening remarks, RALGA’s Chairperson Cllr Innocent Uwimana emphasised how crucial local leaders and staff are in localising the SDGs in Rwanda, particularly with regard to the planning, monitoring and evaluation processes in the districts. He also stressed the importance of agreement among all SDG stakeholders on a roadmap for their implementation.
Rwanda will soon unveil its Vision 2050 and present the third edition of the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS 3). All districts will elaborate their District Development Plans (DDPs) for 2019-2024. Participants were called to use this unique opportunity to incorporate the SDGs in these national and local plans. 
Also taking part in the discussions were representatives of institutions playing a key role in localising the SDGs and bringing them to a domestic level in the districts.