Conclusions

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

Egypt), or where institutional arrangements to operationalize decentralization are not yet in place, localization strategies remain a pending issue (Chad, Tunisia, Zimbabwe).

In a few countries where the fragile institutional context limits the development of local government (e.g. Afghanistan and Iraq), and in a last group, in which local administrations are appointed by national governments (e.g. DPR Korea, Qatar and Saudi Arabia), the space for local ownership to support localization initiatives is very limited.

The country briefs reflect that, globally speaking, there has been progress in the alignment of the SDGs with local plans in almost all regions. In this regard, national policies and guidelines that support local development plans have played a decisive role. Since its first VNR in 2017, Colombia has pioneered the monitoring of the integration of the SDGs in local development plans. In other countries, conflicts and tensions have underlined the fact that strict and inflexible top-down approaches can limit local government initiatives. Therefore, the experience of some countries can show flexible ways. In Japan, the SDGs FutureCities initiative encourages autonomous local governments to integrate SDG priorities and promote greater local ownership. In China, which combines a traditional top-down approach with a system of relatively strong local government autonomy, particularly in its largest cities, cities like Guangzhou have developed ambitious strategies aligned with the SDGs.

Similarly, the coordination between different subnational levels of government to harmonise their plans and priorities has become central to supporting SDG strategies and monitoring efforts. In Indonesia, for example, divergent priorities between municipalities and provincial governments can act as an obstacle to coordination and reporting. The report from Mexico also stresses the need for better integrated local governments and local stakeholder representation within the monitoring and implementation offices that are responsible for pursuing the SDGs at the federated state level. In this regard, the experience of Sweden, where municipalities and regions have a long tradition of network governance, based on collaboration between the two different levels and with strong involvement of citizens, can serve as an important reference.

It is essential to monitor the implementation of local plans in order to ensure that the holistic approach envisaged by the SDGs is reflected in local projects and investments. The prioritisation of a specific set of goals and targets in local plans, which can be observed in almost all countries, also requires a deep analysis. While it seems natural for each territory to adapt the goals to its priorities, it is essential to support an integrated approach to the 2030 Agenda. Failure to create synergies, minimising trade-offs, and avoiding what is known as the silo approach can result in incoherent policies and have an adverse impact on development. Here, the question of monitoring and using indicators is critical, but remains a problem for the majority of LRGs. Even if some progress in developing localized indicators can be observed, this is a domain in which LRGs and countries are sadly lagging behind. With few exceptions, the national mechanisms used to collect subnational-level data are not working effectively (see Subsection 5.2, below).

At the global level, as in previous years, LRG networks and the GTF continue to play a key role in encouraging and supporting a more systematic local and regional implementation of the Global Agenda. Over the last year, there has been a multiplication in the number of virtual gatherings, conferences, workshops, awareness-raising campaigns, training actions, technical support sessions and pilot projects organised to promote greater SDG localization.

However, in all countries, limited multi-level governance arrangements and insufficient national government support and financing have been identified by LRGs as critical obstacles to accelerate the pace of the localization process. These are important challenges, and particularly so in Africa, Latin America and some countries in Asia-Pacific. Among the main opportunities generated by the SDGs, LRGs and LGAs both identify the possibility to improve planning processes and to make progress in the involvement of local stakeholders in local policymaking. All the LRGs and LGAs consulted hope to benefit from enhanced multi-level governance and improved national support in the future.

LRG networks and the GTF continue to play a key role in encouraging and supporting a more systematic local and regional implementation of the Global Agenda.