The 6th edition of the Global Taskforce’s report to the HLPF 2022, Towards the Localization of the SDGs, is out now!

Over the past two years, local and regional governments (LRGs) have positioned themselves as frontline responders to the complex and interconnected crises that our societies are facing. The role that LRGs play in securing universal access to local public services has come through as simply essential to address the current crisis and to support a just recovery.

This report provides the most updated and comprehensive understanding of the efforts that LRGs have been undertaking to promote quality and lifelong education for all (SDG 4), gender equality (SDG 5), life below water (SDG 14), life on land (SDG 15), and partnerships for the SDGs (SDG 17).

The report sheds light on local governments’ efforts to develop healthy learning environments, combat early school dropout and support populations’ involvement in education and in lifelong learning opportunities for all. The report also emphasizes how LRGs are adopting “care” as a central element to COVID-19 recovery: mainstreaming gender-sensitive and gender-responsive approaches in local policy-making and actions, adopting a feminist perspective in local planning and budgeting processes, fostering responses against violence and harassment, and creating new livelihoods opportunities. It shows how cities, particularly those in coastal areas, are striving to prevent marine pollution, and invest in coastal areas’ protection, promoting integrated, locally managed marine areas. Local governments are also fostering the sustainable management of forests and protected areas; as well as the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems (including through the promotion of “urban forests”). Moreover, Municipalities are also developing global and regional networks to boost women’s local leadership and are active partners in global initiatives to advance SDGs 14 and 15, such as the Urban Ocean programme or the Edinburgh Process declaration on biodiversity, among others.

The IAEC has contributed to the report with chapter 4.1 Localizing SDG4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all (pg 85-98).

The report presents iniciatives and projects of 15 Educating Cities from 10 different countries.

You can read it here: