The Learning session on Localizing the SDGs – a Dialogue between Ibero-American and African networks, was held last week at the UN House in Cabo Verde, located in the city of Praia. The session, organized in the framework of the 4^th World Forum of Local Economic Development by the Union of Ibero-American Capital Cities (UCCI), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), National Confederation of Municipalities of Brazil (CNM), Latin American Federation of Cities, Municipalities and Local Governments Associations (FLACMA), AL-LAs Project (represented by the Andalusian Fund of Municipalities for International Solidarity - FAMSI), and Mercociudades, welcomed more than 30 representatives of local and national governments from Cabo Verde, as well as from various European and Latin-American countries to discuss and define concrete actions to locally implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The working day kicked off with the opening remarks of the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Cabo Verde, Ms. Ulrika Richardson and the Mayor of Ribeira G. Santiago and President of the National Association of Cabo Verdean Municipalities (ANMCV), Mr. Manuel Monteiro de Pina. The session also counted with the interventions of the Vice-President of CNM, Mr. Glademir Aroldi and the International Coordinator of the UNDP ART Initiative, Mr. Johannes Krassnitzer.

The training offered a unique occasion to discuss and share the challenges and opportunities for localizing the SDGs between African and Ibero-American municipalities. It focused on the awareness raising aspect of the localization process and gave emphasis to the key role that local and regional governments have in facilitating the understanding and ownership of the SDGs in their communities.

To guide the whole training day, the tool “Trainer's guide for Localizing the SDGs - Learning Module 1”, developed by the Global Taskforce of local and regional governments, UNDP and UN-Habitat, was presented and used in order to consider each step of the SDG localization process, including through a round of practical exercises.