OWG 11 statement
5-9 May Session
UCLG First Draft for Consultation within the Mayor Group
Dear co-chairs, member states and colleagues,
Let us first express our appreciation of the great effort of inclusion you have made in this document where many of the views of Major groups and stakeholders have been taken into account.
We’re glad to see that Sustainable Cities and human settlements remain at the core of the priorities of the agenda of the OWG. As you know, the main request of our constituency is to have a stand-alone goal on sustainable urbanization in the future Post-2015 development agenda. This, we are convinced, will contribute to a great mobilization of local and sub-national authorities, which are key stakeholders in implementing the sustainable development agenda.
In that regard, we are glad to see local governments referred to as partners of inclusive and participatory decision making processes. It is in territories that the basis for inclusive, equitable and democratic sustainable development will be achieved.
In that regard, we would like to acknowledge the reference to local and subnational governments as partners of inclusive and participatory decision making processes. Although we note they do not appear under the rule of law and capable institutions, as in previous versions, we would like to stress that the capacity and accountability of local and subnational governments will be crucial in the implementation of the SDG’s.
The basic guiding principle of subsidiarity must be promoted as a vehicle to strengthen democracy and basic services provision aiming at more equitable societies.
Building on Rio+20, we invite the OWG to define the “appropriate means of implementation”, taking into account a multilevel and multistakeholders’ approach - ensuring the designation of appropriate implementers and providing them with the adequate legal, technical and financial capacities. Regarding local and subnational governments large contribution to achieving goals and targets, specific financial mechanisms should be developed and implemented at national levels. Strengthened domestic resources, tax collection and public expenditure efficiency should be implemented at all levels, as proposed in target “o” in focus area 15.
In addition, we would like to remember the crucial importance of a stand-alone goal to “build sustainable cities and human settlements” to also address climate change and resilience, equity and sustainable mobility. Only by focusing in territorial spatial planning, and specially the linkages to rural areas, will allow a necessary integrated-territorial approach if we are to truly achieve a set of SDGs, particularly in regards to transport and inter-municipal displacement
Furthermore we would like to call for targets that address the multi-thematic and integrated possibilities of a goal on sustainable cities and human settlements including specificities of the rural areas but also of the urban areas:
• The focus on sustainable agriculture, food security and nutrition should address food transportation, and the connectivity between urban and rural areas, ensuring territorial cohesion.
• Cities present particular challenges for provision for water, sanitation, drainage, solid waste collection and waste-water management, given their large population concentrations and high densities. The high density of urban settings requires other provision means for universal access to drinking water than rural areas. The same applies for sanitation and access to good quality toilets and hand washing facilities.
• We would further suggest promoting heritage, diversity, creativity and knowledge as a driver and enabler of sustainable development of all cities and territories, and protect and safeguard the world's cultural and natural heritage.
• Under economic growth, employment and infrastructure, access to basic infrastructures and services should not only be guaranteed to 100% of rural populations but also to urban populations, especially the billion urban dwellers living in informal settlements and working in informal sector that are facing an enormous deficit in infrastructure and service provision.
• The improvement of energy efficiency, in buildings, industry, agriculture and transport, as the use of renewable energy should be ensured both in rural and urban areas.
We remain available to further work with you on the SDGs and thank you for your attention.
