Newsletter – n°30 – February 2015

The world at a glance

After the conclusion of the consultation phase, the intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development framework have begun in the General Assembly of the United Nations. On February 9, various stakeholders, including the European Union and local and regional governments, were invited to present their vision on the means of implementation of the new development framework.

Thomas Mayr Harting, Ambassador of the UE to the United Nations, underlined that the mobilisation of all financial resources – including ODA and the blending of private and public instruments – would be a decisive factor of success. He also insisted on the importance of the “global partnership” in the effective implementation of the post-2015 agenda, affirming that local and regional governments would be at the forefront of this.

Mr. Harting recalled that, as the public administration closest to citizens, local authorities carry out institutional responsibilities key in reinforcing citizens’ participation in decision-making processes – also contributing to reinforcing good democratic governance and sustainable development at the local level.

To read the complete statement of the EU representative

Participating in the panel of experts on « the role of parliaments, cities and local authorities » in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Kadis Topbas, Mayor of Istanbul, President of UCLG and representing the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments, called for the renovation of financial mechanisms and frameworks.

Mr. Topbas insisted on the need to undertake some reforms “in order to encourage, ensure and adapt the funds to the needs and capacities of local governments”, notably fiscal decentralisation, improving access to financial markets for cities in emerging countries as well as deepening the relations between local and regional governments and regional and international development banks. He likewise advocated for the implementation of climate-finance mechanisms for activities relating to climate change.

To read the complete statement of Mr. Kadir Topbas

The thematic debate, convened by the President of the General Assembly of United Nations on February 9 and 10 in New York (United States), addressed the issues of the mobilization of resources for the implementation of the SDGs – financial resources, the development and transfer of technological know-how and capacity building.