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TOWARDS THE LOCALIZATION OF THE SDGs
3.4
Conclusions As already underlined in this brief analysis of the process of SDG localization, there has been global progress and setbacks, particularly due to the crisis generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Disparities between countries and local governments are currently growing with regard to the reporting process. As shown in Subsection 3.1, at the global level the involvement of LRGs in the national reporting process has not made much progress in 2021 compared with previous years (they have been consulted in 37% of the countries, as against 40% over the past 5 years). While progress is particularly significant in Europe and AsiaPacific regions, the consultation of LRGs has decreased in Africa and Latin America and has been non-existent in the rest of the regions. Paradoxically, LRG efforts to report on SDG achievements through VLRs and VSRs have, however, been increased despite the pandemic. As mentioned above, these reports are paving the way for a new stage in the involvement of subnational governments in national and international dialogues to achieve the SDGs. Nevertheless, there is still a long way to go. Similarly, with regard to national coordination mechanisms for the implementation of the SDGs, figures show noticeably slower progress. LRGs have been consulted by, or are associated with, national coordination mechanisms in 21% of countries (29% in 2016-2020). Again, progress can be observed in Europe and in Asia-Pacific, but in Latin America and Africa setbacks have been observed. The evolution of national government policy may have a negative impact on local government action (e.g. in Brazil). In other regions, LRG involvement in coordination mechanisms continues to be very weak (Eurasia, MEWA). In all countries, the impact of COVID-19 has changed priorities, with administrations putting health and economic recovery at the centre of their local agendas. Meanwhile, LRGs have been developing local responses to protect their communities. At the same time, the number of countries that mention LRGs in their VNRs has increased. Even so, the majority of countries have yet to define
or adopt specific strategies to promote and/ or support the localization or territorialization of the SDGs and complement central sectoral strategies driven by their ministries. As seen during the pandemic, the absence of SDG localization strategies can undermine the policy coherence required for the recovery process and to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Countries with clear national localization strategies and with an enabling institutional framework for local governments are more advanced and make more progress in SDG localization (e.g. Colombia, Germany, Indonesia, Norway and Sweden, among the countries reporting in 2021). As shown from several examples, with adequate support and political commitment, LRGs in low-income and middle-low-income countries are also leading the localization process (e.g. Bolivia, Cape Verde and, in previous years, Benin, Kenya and Rwanda). However, as expected, LRGs in less developed countries stress their limited capacities and resources to fully engage in this process (e.g. Chad and Madagascar), but even in developed contexts, some countries are lagging behind in their localization efforts (e.g. Cyprus). In federal countries, such as Mexico (and to a lesser extent Germany), federated states are often more involved than municipalities (with the exceptions of a few larger cities). This is also the case in some unitary countries with regional authorities (e.g. Niger). While regional authorities are associated with, or regularly consulted by, national coordination mechanisms, local governments often are not. Therefore, further efforts, and specially adapted programmes, need to be made to reach cities and municipalities. In countries with a strong tradition of decentralization, local governments can be even more ambitious than many of their national goals, as shown by Norway’s VSR targets for a green transition. In Spain, several regions and cities have also been developing localized SDG strategies that are more advanced than those of the national government. In countries where LRGs benefit from the legacy of a Local Agenda 21 (as in Denmark, Germany and South Korea), they have been quicker to adapt their commitments to the SDGs. Countries with national localization strategies are currently developing policies to improve the capacities of their local governments, through actions such as decentralization policies (e.g. in Bolivia and Cape Verde). In contrast, in many countries with only limited degrees of decentralization (e.g. Angola, Azerbaijan and
