From February 28 to March 2, 2018, Cuenca, Ecuador hosted the Continental Forum of Intermediate Cities: Latin America "Towards the 2030 Agenda" , an event co-organized by the Municipality of Cuenca and the World Network of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG).

During the four days, the challenges faced by the intermediate cities were addressed and the necessary tools were reviewed to implement and locate the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the New Urban Agenda, approved at the Habitat III Conference. The discussions centered around three transversal themes: gender, urban mobility and citizen participation.

Representatives of local and regional governments and their associations, as well as representatives of academia, civil society and international institutions met to exchange knowledge and experiences during the different sessions of the event. In addition, technical visits and meetings were held on cooperation issues.

The Forum closed with a Declaration that defends the role of local governments and intermediate cities as main actors in the implementation and localization of the 2030 Agenda and the New Urban Agenda.

To that end, representatives of local and regional governments of intermediate cities in Latin America are committed to adapting their agendas to global agendas within the framework of inter-municipal and intersectoral cooperation as an instrument to face the challenges of sustainable development and the administration of intermediate cities.

In the Declaration, it is highlighted that the 17 Sustainable Development Goals are integral and should be contemplated in the policies, plans, programs and projects of the local governments of the intermediate cities, and for that, a vision and strategic planning is required.

In addition, the importance of listening to the needs, potential and voice of intermediate cities is highlighted so that they can strengthen their proactive role in sustainable development processes.

The conclusions of the event and the proposals of Latin American local governments will be taken to the World Forum of Intermediate Cities that will be held from July 5 to 7 in Chefchaouen, Morocco.