The Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development (nrg4SD) in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law and Governance and with the support of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR), UNDP Art and ORU Fogar, launches the report “Localizing the SDGs: Regional Governments Paving the Way”. Based on a survey with 47 regional governments from all over the world, the report maps the variety of processes and actions undertaken by sub-national governments in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The report is the result of the nrg4SD accumulated knowledge and continuous consultation with member governments in the last three years. In addition to an analysis of instruments and good practices, the report convenes a series of recommendations aiming at replicating and scaling-up efforts in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda at the sub-national level and other levels of governments.

The publication also builds on the premises and understanding that regional governments have a fundamental role to play towards the realization of the 2030 Agenda in territories. 92% of respondents declared to be familiar with the SDGs and in early or advanced stages of implementation, and 87% have a specific policy and/or action to implement them.

With clear direct competences on planning, legislation and decision-making over their territories, regional governments are also fundamental contributors to the success of national efforts to achieve the SDGs. Therefore, the report also brings information about the participation and inclusion of regional governments in Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), including recommendations for future VNR countries to engage with regional governments.

 “The 2030 Agenda is an extraordinary opportunity to transforming of how policy is made and ensure effective coordination and collaboration between the different levels of governments and with stakeholders. In this context, regional governments play a crucial role through their integrated approaches, specific competencies and capacity to engage civil society. Therefore, regional governments become a powerful enabler for the implementation, follow-up and review of the SDGs” explains Natalia Vera, nrg4SD Secretary General.

In response to the main challenges of the implementation of the SDGs, regional governments highlighted:

• the need for improved coordination and alignment within the regional government and with other levels of governance;
• having additional training opportunities, expert inputs and capacity building;
• raising awareness campaigns, both to the government’s staff and to stakeholders;
• establishing partnerships and mechanisms for stakeholder participation;
• proper monitoring, evaluation and indicators for the follow-up and review of the localization of the SDGs;

Despite the challenges, participant regional governments are widely committed to taking action: 64% of them carried out consultations for multi-stakeholder engagement and 85% collaborate with the respective central governments on SDGs. Nevertheless, mechanisms for national-regional coordination still need to be improved as well as territorial cooperation. The report Localizing the SDGs: Regional Governments Paving the Way¨ not only reveals the deep level of commitment of regional governments to the localization and implementation of the SDGs in their territories, but also highlights the urgent need of a multi-level governance and integration in this process.

The nrg4SD promoted a pre-launch online event on July 5^th and officially presented the report on July 13^th during the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) for Sustainable Development.

Download the full report: Localizing the SDGs: Regional Governments Paving the Way

Watch the launch webinar on July 5th: https://youtu.be/O9g8rYXqKyc

Download the presentations from the webinar on July 5th: http://www.nrg4sd.org/webinar-2018-hlpf-localizing-the-sdgs-through-regional-governments/

See information of the event on July 13th: http://www.nrg4sd.org/localizing-the-sdgs-regional-governments-paving-the-way-2/

Media contact

Thais Ferraz, Communications Officer, nrg4SD

M: +34 633 235 432

tferraz@nrg4sd.org

About nrg4SD

The Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development - nrg4SD - was established in 2002, and currently has over 50 members from almost 30 countries in four continents. The Network acts in three main fields: sustainable development, biodiversity and climate change, and seeks greater international recognition of regional governments, especially in the context of the global agendas at UN and EU levels. In addition, nrg4SD promotes cooperation among members, fostering the exchange of information, know-how and best practices.

Please visit www.nrg4SD.org or follow @nrg4sd and #Regions4SDGs