Uclg aspac in un habitat forum

Partners Need to Collaborate Better for New Urban Agenda

FOLLOWING up the adoption of New Urban Agenda (NUA) in Quito, October 2016,UN-Habitat, focal point for sustainable urbanisation and human settlements (in collaboration with other UN entities), held “Partners Forum for Delivering the New Urban Agenda Together in Asia and the Pacific” - National Mechanisms and Multi-Stakeholder Engagement in the Implementation of the NUA – in Bangkok from 23-24 January 2017.

The Forum brought together partners and representatives of distinguished authorities within Asia and the Pacific region. More than 60 participants from 13 countries booked their seat in the interactive sessions sharing variety of topics in relation to the implementation of NUA. Participants exchanged knowledge on the national frameworks, mechanisms, priorities as well as plans for the implementation of the NUA as well as its linkages with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other internationally agreed commitments. Attendees were inspired by the sharing of panelists regarding changes and synergies that occurred in their country

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resulting from the implementation of NUA.The sessions also exposed participants to possible multi-stakeholder partnerships, which involved citizens (including poor communities, women, youth, people with disability, and vulnerable groups), governments, UN bodies, development organizations, and other non-state actors. The discussion also included stages of monitoring, reviewing, reporting and financing of the NUA. As the current situation just entered early stage of localization, this session also provided opportunities to share accomplishments of actions taken, what is working and what is not, and the improvement proposed.

Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC shared the road map on localizing SDGs and NUA and stressed the importance of conducive environment to enable local governments perform better. Dr. Bernadia updated the participants with the Enabling Environment Rating currently carried out in 30 countries by UCLG ASPAC, Cities Alliance and other partners. She also mentioned that these Global Agendas (SDGs, NUA, Sendai Framework for Actions, Paris Agreement) should not be seen as somethings new and/or become additional burden for local governments. But more importantly how the Goals can relate to local goals and priorities and how the global agenda’s indicators can connect to the local ones. That will be the key for localization, she said.

The event was co-hosted by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security of Thailand and the Ministry of Local Government, Housing and Environment of Fiji, and organized by UN-Habitat.