The European Commission has renewed framework partnership agreements with five global associations of local authorities to support their role in formulating policies to promote sustainable development at the local, regional, and global levels and achieve the SDGs.

The partnership agreements with the Association Internationale des Maires Francophones (AIMF), the Commonwealth Local Governments Forum (CLGF), Platforma/Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), and the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA) recognize the local and regional governments’ contribution to the design and implementation of policies that support the SDGs, including by making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

By formalizing a set of common interests and objectives, the agreements provide an opportunity to:

• Amplify the voice of EU local and regional governments and their associations in EU development policy and global agendas;
• In partnership with other countries, enhance the engagement of EU local and regional governments and their associations in “decentralized cooperation,” focusing on EU priorities and the SDGs;
• Improve current decentralized cooperation practices through efficiency and innovation;
• Raise awareness and build the capacities of local and regional governments and their associations as governance and development policy actors; and
• Strengthen the capacity of local authorities’ associations to “coordinate the voices of all partners” and build synergies to ensure good governance and sustainable partnerships.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen highlighted local and regional governments and their associations as “key partners for the EU in its external action because of their role in driving sustainable and inclusive development in a way that creates more opportunity for all and leaves no one behind.” “It is our collective responsibility to put back on track the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals,” she said.

In force until 31 April 2026, the agreements are supported by EUR 50 million from the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI – Global Europe). [European Commission Press Release]