The global local government community is in no doubt that local and regional governments have a critical role to play in accelerating progress towards sustainable development and achieving the SDGs. CLGF members are very clear on this, which is why we are active members of the self-organised constituency, the Global Taskforce on Local and Regional Government, which brings together many of the international local government networks to ensure a strong voice for local and regional government in major global policy debates.  

Commitment to localism

On 19 September, the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Government convened the World Assembly of Local and Regional Governments in the UN Headquarters, to reaffirm our commitment to the localism of Our Common Agenda, ahead of the United Nations Summit of the Future, which took place in New York from 21-22 September 2024.  

CLGF calls for acknowledgement of the local sphere

CLGF’s Chairperson, Mayor Bernard Wagner, Belize, joined almost 100 local and regional leaders at the World Assembly, calling for the acknowledgment of local and regional governments as distinct political actors within the UN system, separate from other stakeholders - crucial for the new multilateralism of the 21st century. The opening was addressed by UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohamed, and the sessions brought together Mayors from around the world on key themes linked to the Summit of the Future, namely Digital Futures and Localisation; Peaceful Futures and Localisation; Sustainable Futures and Localisation; Boosting Collaboration between the UN and Local Governments; Enhancing a Seat at the Table; and World Local and

Regional Leaders listen to Youth.

Multi stakeholder partnerships for efficiency

Mayor Wagner spoke in the session on Boosting Collaboration between the UN and Local Governments. He emphasised the importance of local governments of all sizes in understanding local needs and delivering basic services to citizens. He highlighted the importance of building multi-stakeholder partnerships to improve efficiency in service delivery; and the value of closer collaboration with UN Resident Coordinators in country to work with and through local government to help bridge the gap between local realities and national plans. He also emphasised the importance of access to resources at the point of delivery to ensure no one and no place is left behind.

CLGF leading dialogue on youth involvement

The final session of the World Assembly was a dialogue between local and regional leaders and youth, facilitated by CLGF’s Secretary General, Lucy Slack – a chance for Mayor Dijksma, Utrecht, to share the call that youth had made for greater engagement and participation in local decision making at an event hosted in her city in June 2024: Shaping our Future Conference; and for delegates to hear from young leaders - Ishan Shah, UN Women’s national gender advocate and Lauren Banham, Legal Pact for the Future Representative, both of whom highlighted the importance of local solutions to global challenges and the need for inclusive planning, decision-making and delivery to meet the needs of all citizens with space for youth. Anaclaudia Rossbach, the new Executive Director of UN Habitat, also spoke to the importance of youth inclusion, and in closing emphasised her continued commitment to the role of local and regional government as key partners in sustainable development.