The United Nations High-Level Political Forum in New York is taking place against a critical backdrop : most of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will not be achieved as planned by 2030. To speed up their implementation, the Congress called on states worldwide to empower cities and regions.  

Adressing the Forum, Congress Secretary General Mathieu Mori recalled that a recommendation to accelerate the localisation of the SDGs was adopted at the 44th Congress Session in Strasbourg. Referring to the UN Secretary General's report on the state of progress of the SDGs, Mathieu Mori stressed the fact that the majority of the SDG goals cannot be achieved without local and regional authorities. "The right to education, to a proper healthcare, to a clean environment, to drink water are rights that cannot be realised without the appropriate commitment of local and regional authorities," he said.

Secretary General Mori announced that at the 4th Summit of Heads of State and Government in Reykjavik, European leaders clearly recognised the importance of the role of elected representatives at local level in defending democracy, human rights and the rule of law. They also pledged their support for the essential role of multi-level governance in implementing European values and ensuring respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. "We call on all governments to do the same", called Mathieu Mori.

See more :

• Speech by Mathieu Mori, Secretary General of the Congress
• Congress recommendation: Localisation of the SDGs
• Congress contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals