The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) supports SDG localization by strengthening local capacities to align development efforts with national plans and the 2030 Agenda. A core entry point is the preparation of Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs), which assess local SDG progress and improve monitoring and evaluation systems. The upcoming workshop will emphasize the principle of subsidiarity—one of CEPA’s 11 principles of effective governance—highlighting the importance of assigning responsibilities to the lowest effective level of government. UN DESA has issued five strategy guidance notes to support this, covering fiscal federalism, municipal finance, urban governance, resilience to external shocks, and multilevel governance.
UN DESA’s Infrastructure Asset Management (IAM) team is also implementing a comprehensive capacity development programme to help governments maximize the long-term value of public infrastructure. Given that resilient and inclusive infrastructure contributes to over 90% of SDG targets, strengthening local capacity for infrastructure maintenance is particularly important for Ghana’s Big Push agenda.
In parallel, the Global Quality of Life Initiative—launched in 2023 by UN-Habitat and UN ECA—promotes a human‑centred, data‑driven approach to urban development. Funded by the Quality of Life Program Center in Saudi Arabia, the Initiative helps cities understand residents’ priorities and translate them into tangible improvements in well‑being. It forms part of UN-Habitat’s broader SDG localization offer and aligns with the Local2030 ecosystem and the SDG Cities programme. More than 100 cities in over 40 countries, including 10 in Ghana, have joined the Initiative, contributing to global efforts to advance sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban development.
