Major Group: Local Authorities
Statement of the LAMG before the Open Working Group
28 February 2013 – New-York
Dear members of the Open Working Group,
It is a pleasure to be here today for the first meeting of the Open-Working group and to be
able to share with you the views and concerns of our constituency, the Local Authorities
Major Group.
As acknowledged in the “Future We Want” document, multi-level and multi-stakeholder
governance guarantees the rapid implementation of all principles of sustainable
development. Therefore, we encourage Member States and UN DESA to build on the
recommendations of the Rio+20 outcomes and make the best use of the collaboration
mechanisms that have been created through the Rio+20 process, further enhancing the
participation of major groups and other stakeholders. We sincerely hope that the Multistakeholders
advisory group proposed by the nine major groups will become a tool for a
more inclusive and participatory process.
The process of developing SDGs should be worked closely with the Post-2015 Development
Agenda. Local and subnational authorities believe that there should be a single converging
agenda for 2015. It should merge the new MDGs and the SDGs in a unique set of goals and
find synergies and divisions of tasks between the different existing mechanisms.
We have already shared these views with the High-Level Panel (HLP) through Mayor of
Istanbul, who has taken upon himself to voice the views of our constituency in this body.
We believe any outcome of the HLP and any process subsequent to the Post 2015 should be
closely linked to the work developed by the Open Working Group. We also call for the active
participation of all stakeholders involved in the Post-2015 agenda to build on the successes
and challenges faced by the MDGs and to contribute to decision-making, planning and
implementation of policies and programmes for sustainable development at all levels by
means of:
1- Wide consultations and strong ownership and a role in decision making: the post-
2015 agenda and the SDGs should be the subject of a broad-based debate and consensus
around development priorities. Much progress has been made consulting on a multi-level
and multi-stakeholder basis including with those involved in both the Rio+20 and the Post
2015 ongoing process. We now need to work on ensuring proper reflection of the
consultations at the key decision making levels ensuring this process is both open and
transparent.
2- Identify the how and who: the MDGs are very clear about what they want to achieve.
Even in the current consultations on post MDGs the general agreement on issues is rather
broad. As well as looking at prioritization we need to identify the actors that are needed to
make a difference: the WHO and HOW. We feel equality and governance should deserve
special attention as catalysts of development.
3- Building on the lessons learned: By looking at the extensive work done for the
implementation of sustainable development strategies at different governmental levels, as
well as Agenda’s 21 at local subnational, national and international level we can learn
through experience that can serve as a basis for SDGs.
4- A broader view of development and poverty: Economic growth can no longer
guarantee equality and poverty is now also firmly established in middle income countries.
The new international development agenda will have to address not only national but also
local issues, such as the consequence of a rapidly growing urbanization, for example slums
development. It will need to address inclusion and good governance as key drivers of
development.
5- An innovative view of goals: SDGs should tackle the main environmental challenges
of our planet and ensure the integration of all dimensions of sustainability: economic, social
environmental and cultural. Like MDGs, SDGs should be materialized in targets that should
be coherent with agreed international goals and targets.
6- Local and sub-national indicators and different type of data: There is a widely
recognized need for accurate, detailed, disaggregated statistics which do not look at overall
national numbers but take into account the reality on the ground. Indicators and data
collection are required at local and subnational levels if real impact and progress is to be
made.
7- Monitoring and implementation: local and subnational governments look forward to
contributing to the establishment, monitoring and implementation of SDGs.
New population dynamics, resilience and solidarity among territories play a prominent role
in the discussions. An overall goal to promote cities and regions/territories that are
environmentally sustainable, socially inclusive, economically productive and resilient is
crucial if we want to be able to properly respond to the challenges. We believe these issues
should be a priority for the Open Working Group when developing the SDGs and local and
subnational governments remain fully available to support you in this process.
Thank you.
28 February 2013 – New-York
Dear members of the Open Working Group,
It is a pleasure to be here today for the first meeting of the Open-Working group and to be
able to share with you the views and concerns of our constituency, the Local Authorities
Major Group.
As acknowledged in the “Future We Want” document, multi-level and multi-stakeholder
governance guarantees the rapid implementation of all principles of sustainable
development. Therefore, we encourage Member States and UN DESA to build on the
recommendations of the Rio+20 outcomes and make the best use of the collaboration
mechanisms that have been created through the Rio+20 process, further enhancing the
participation of major groups and other stakeholders. We sincerely hope that the Multistakeholders
advisory group proposed by the nine major groups will become a tool for a
more inclusive and participatory process.
The process of developing SDGs should be worked closely with the Post-2015 Development
Agenda. Local and subnational authorities believe that there should be a single converging
agenda for 2015. It should merge the new MDGs and the SDGs in a unique set of goals and
find synergies and divisions of tasks between the different existing mechanisms.
We have already shared these views with the High-Level Panel (HLP) through Mayor of
Istanbul, who has taken upon himself to voice the views of our constituency in this body.
We believe any outcome of the HLP and any process subsequent to the Post 2015 should be
closely linked to the work developed by the Open Working Group. We also call for the active
participation of all stakeholders involved in the Post-2015 agenda to build on the successes
and challenges faced by the MDGs and to contribute to decision-making, planning and
implementation of policies and programmes for sustainable development at all levels by
means of:
1- Wide consultations and strong ownership and a role in decision making: the post-
2015 agenda and the SDGs should be the subject of a broad-based debate and consensus
around development priorities. Much progress has been made consulting on a multi-level
and multi-stakeholder basis including with those involved in both the Rio+20 and the Post
2015 ongoing process. We now need to work on ensuring proper reflection of the
consultations at the key decision making levels ensuring this process is both open and
transparent.
2- Identify the how and who: the MDGs are very clear about what they want to achieve.
Even in the current consultations on post MDGs the general agreement on issues is rather
broad. As well as looking at prioritization we need to identify the actors that are needed to
make a difference: the WHO and HOW. We feel equality and governance should deserve
special attention as catalysts of development.
3- Building on the lessons learned: By looking at the extensive work done for the
implementation of sustainable development strategies at different governmental levels, as
well as Agenda’s 21 at local subnational, national and international level we can learn
through experience that can serve as a basis for SDGs.
4- A broader view of development and poverty: Economic growth can no longer
guarantee equality and poverty is now also firmly established in middle income countries.
The new international development agenda will have to address not only national but also
local issues, such as the consequence of a rapidly growing urbanization, for example slums
development. It will need to address inclusion and good governance as key drivers of
development.
5- An innovative view of goals: SDGs should tackle the main environmental challenges
of our planet and ensure the integration of all dimensions of sustainability: economic, social
environmental and cultural. Like MDGs, SDGs should be materialized in targets that should
be coherent with agreed international goals and targets.
6- Local and sub-national indicators and different type of data: There is a widely
recognized need for accurate, detailed, disaggregated statistics which do not look at overall
national numbers but take into account the reality on the ground. Indicators and data
collection are required at local and subnational levels if real impact and progress is to be
made.
7- Monitoring and implementation: local and subnational governments look forward to
contributing to the establishment, monitoring and implementation of SDGs.
New population dynamics, resilience and solidarity among territories play a prominent role
in the discussions. An overall goal to promote cities and regions/territories that are
environmentally sustainable, socially inclusive, economically productive and resilient is
crucial if we want to be able to properly respond to the challenges. We believe these issues
should be a priority for the Open Working Group when developing the SDGs and local and
subnational governments remain fully available to support you in this process.
Thank you.