The policy brief defines SDG localization as “the process of adapting and customizing the SDGs and translating them into local development plans and strategies that fit the needs, context, and priorities of a particular region or locality, in coherence with national frameworks”.
Annexed to the policy brief is the ‘Recommended Action Plan for National Governments, Subnational Governments, and UN Entities on SDG Localization,’ which outlines specific actions items for each of these entities.
The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) have published a policy brief outlining a recommended action plan for national and subnational governments, as well as UN entities on how to improve SDG localization.
The inter-agency policy brief titled, ‘Accelerating SDG Localization to Deliver on the Promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,’ was prepared in collaboration with the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), with input from the five UN Regional Commissions.
The policy brief defines SDG localization as “the process of adapting and customizing the SDGs and translating them into local development plans and strategies that fit the needs, context, and priorities of a particular region or locality, in coherence with national frameworks.” It notes that at least 65% of SDG targets are linked to the work of local and regional governments, which demonstrates “an urgent need to accelerate SDG localization to improve policy coherence and integration by bolstering whole-of-society and whole-of-government approaches for sustainable development.”
The policy brief recommends that national and subnational governments enhance multilevel coordination in planning, budgeting, implementation, data, and reporting. It calls for inclusive multistakeholder engagement and community participation to help ensure no one is left behind.
The paper underscores that “[h]armonized national and local SDG indicator frameworks and accessible data portals are critical to SDG localization.” This, it argues, “requires a common definition of SDG localization indicators; accelerated knowledge and skills at… national [as well as] subnational levels for data collection and utilization; and greater emphasis on evidence-based policymaking for informed decision[s]….”
The policy brief stresses the need to harness technology and digitalization, including artificial intelligence (AI), to localize the SDGs. Capacity building through existing approaches, learning platforms, peer-to-peer networks, and development cooperation across local authorities is also crucial and should focus on integrating the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs “into national and subnational development plans, strategies, and monitoring and evaluation frameworks.” To finance SDG localization, the paper underscores the need for: sufficient, timely, and equitable transfers of funding from national to local levels; and fund raising at subnational levels.
Annexed to the policy brief is the ‘Recommended Action Plan for National Governments, Subnational Governments, and UN Entities on SDG Localization.’ Informed by the discussions during the Local and Regional Governments Forums, the 2023 session of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, and the 2023 SDG Summit, the Action Plan outlines specific actions items for each of these entities.
The policy brief was released in June 2024, ahead of the July session of the HLPF. On 10 July, a dedicated HLPF session on localization will be held on the theme, ‘Transformation from the Ground Up: Acting at Local Level.’ The Seventh Local and Regional Governments Forum on the 2030 Agenda will convene as a special event on 11 July. [Publication: Inter-Agency Policy Brief: Accelerating SDG Localization to Deliver on the Promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development] [Publication Landing Page]