As the 2030 deadline of the United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development draws near, the annual High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) is currently convening in New York to assess implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Speaking at the UN session “Transformation from the Ground Up: Acting at Local Level” Nazia Rehman, Chair of the Social Inclusion Committee (United Kingdom, SOC/G/PD), highlighted the important role of local authorities in advancing the Agenda 2030, presented best practices in public transportation and housing from the Greater Manchester area.  “As the level of government closest to citizens, local and regional authorities can ensure that social policies are rights-based”, stressed Ms Rehman referring to the recently adopted Recommendation 528 (2025) on “The role of local and regional authorities in protecting and promoting social rights and fostering social development.”

Social Inclusion Committee Chair Nazia Rehman and Congress Director Claudia Luciani also held several bilateral meetings with UN leaders, diplomatic representatives of member states, and other partners to strengthen cooperation and promote the role of local and regional authorities worldwide.