UCLG rep: Localization of SDGs - political issue

Localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is not a technical issue, but a political one, Pablo Fernández Marmissolle-Daguerre, Assistant Secretary-General for Partnerships at United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), said at the event "National Frameworks for Localizing the Sustainable Development Goals" at the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), Report informs.

He noted that the SDG localization framework is political in nature: "When we talk about frameworks, we're talking about politics. They're based on a political mandate, and it's important to remember that. We report and implement programs precisely because we have political responsibility."

A UCLG representative emphasized that the success of global agendas depends, among other things, on the language and terminology used to better understand them: "When we speak at international negotiations, we strive to change the language and terminology, because the implementation of global programs depends on the meaning embedded in them."

According to him, the key role in implementing and reporting on the SDGs is increasingly shifting to local and regional authorities, as they are responsible for implementing decisions in practice.