Sustainable territorial and local development

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is participating in the upcoming United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit, scheduled for 18-19 September. This high-profile event will bring together leaders from across the globe to discuss crucial sustainability issues and progress toward achieving the SDGs.
CEMR and PLATFORMA will be leading a distinguished delegation, including CEMR Secretariat Eva Baños de Guisasola, Senior Adviser on Global Agendas, SDGs and Climate; Basque Government, Spain; CUF, Cités Unies France; DIBA - Diputació de Barcelona, Spain; ELVL, Estonia; FEMP; Association of German Cities; VNG, The Netherlands; SALAR, Sweden; UCLG.
CEMR's main objectives at the conference are to advocate for a decentralised, bottom-up, territorial approach to SDG implementation and to emphasise the indispensable role of local and regional governments in achieving these global goals.
Key highlights of CEMR's participation include:

1. EU Voluntary Review: CEMR calls for clear recognition of the contributions made by different levels of governance and civil society organisations in achieving the SDGs in Europe.
2. Localising SDGs: National governments and the EU are urged to accelerate the localisation and territorialisation of the SDGs, ensuring that local and regional governments have the necessary autonomy, means, and resources to drive change at the community level.
3. Citizen Engagement: CEMR promotes the production of Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) and Voluntary Subnational Reviews (VSRs) as tools to engage citizens and enhance awareness of global challenges.
4. Data Inclusion: CEMR advocates for including relevant disaggregated data and information at the subnational level in Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). Emphasising the importance of local governments in monitoring and reporting SDG progress.
5. Political Engagement: CEMR urges EU institutions and European States to engage with local and regional governments through regular dialogue and the inclusion of local elected representatives in high-level meetings.
6. International Cooperation: CEMR seeks more support for international cooperation at the local and regional levels, emphasising peer-to-peer learning and innovative partnerships as key drivers of SDG achievement.
7. Inclusivity: CEMR underscores the vital role of youth, women, and vulnerable groups in decision-making and activities contributing to SDG attainment.

CEMR is committed to making a significant impact at the 2023 UN SDG Summit by promoting the pivotal role of local and regional governments in driving sustainable development. We look forward to engaging with global leaders and partners to advance our shared vision for a more sustainable and equitable world. To learn more about CEMR/PLATFORMA's SDG strategy, you can find our latest study online at this link https://local-sdgs.eu/.