I.Metshin: “Together we can make UN-Habitat closer to the cities and regions that we represent”

Today, the Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin held the first meeting as the President of the UN Advisory Committee of Local Authorities (UNACLA). He emphasized the priority areas of the Committee's activities for the present year. The meeting was held within the 10th World Urban Forum “Cities of opportunities: connecting culture and innovation” in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates).

“We can enhance the role and significance of UNACLA to a whole another level”

During the meeting, members of the Committee and the UN-Habitat Executive Director, Maimunah Mohd Sharif, approved Ilsur Metshin as the President of UNACLA. Previously, he was elected to this post at the VI Congress of the World organization “United Cities and Local Governments” (UCLG).

“I accept this responsibility with great enthusiasm and convinced that in the upcoming years we can enhance the role and significance of UNACLA for its members, UN-Habitat, UCLG and the UN to a whole another level”, - said I.Metshin, opening the first meeting as Chairman of the Committee.

“It is a great honor for me to participate along with you in bringing the voice of local and regional authorities to UN-Habitat, raising awareness of the important role of municipalities in achieving sustainable development, and contributing to the implementation of global agendas at local levels. I also hope that together we can make UN-habitat closer to the cities and regions that we represent”, - said I.Metshin.

UNACLA – is a platform for constructive dialogue between local and regional authorities

Ilsur Metshin presented to the Committee members his vision of UNACLA's activities for the upcoming year and outlined a number of priority areas. In particular, the new President of the Association plans to strengthen the political role of networks representing different regions of the world, UN-Habitat advisory role, expand the dialogue with central governments and define a new strategic urban development agenda and its implementation.

I.Metshin emphasized that the first challenge of this year is to increase the level of involvement of regional global networks (UCLG, Local authorities for sustainability, etc.) in the activities of UNACLA.

I.Metshin recalled that UNACLA is positioned in the UN resolution as an advisory body for the purpose of strengthening the dialogue with local authorities from all over the world in the implementation of the new urban development agenda”. In this case, UNACLA should be approached as a platform where constructive dialogue takes place between local and regional authorities. For this purpose, he suggested that in 2020, bilateral meetings should be intensified directly with the UN-Habitat Executive Director and discussed in more detail with UNACLA members.

“The protection of local self-government is an important achievement of UNACLA”

The President of the Advisory Committee emphasized that 2020 is an opportunity for members of UNACLA to set a political and operational agenda for the new period, to continue the implementation of the urban development agenda adopted earlier in Quito (Ecuador), and once again to focus on the close connection between the implementation of this agenda and the achievement of the Goals of sustainable development and localization. “Presently, 70% of the world's population lives in cities, so the localization of the agenda depends on local authorities. After all, this will allow us to achieve the Goals of sustainable development and the Paris Agreement”, - said I.Metshin.

“I thank you for your trust. I’m sure that this is the beginning of a very effective relationships. I thank you for your contribution and hope to continue our joint work in the upcoming months”, - Ilsur Metshin resumed and listened to the proposals of the meeting participants regarding the announced priority areas.

In addition, the UNACLA activities for 2015-2019 were discusses at the meeting.