I. Metshin: “Local and regional authorities are focused on solving day-to-day issues caused by the pandemic”

Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, the president of the UN Advisory Committee of Local Authorities (UNACLA), took part in the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. Today, the forum hosted the Day of Local and Regional Authorities. The participants exchanged views in order to accelerate the localization of the universal agenda for sustainable development.

“I am very pleased to welcome you all on behalf of representatives of local and regional authorities. This day was initiated in 2019 by a Global Task Force of local and regional authorities in order to make our voice heard when making important decisions on the international processes,”- I. Metshin began his speech. He said that the international community approved the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6 years ago, and a year later a New Urban Agenda appeared. "The Final Declaration of the Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development in Quito emphasizes the role of the New Urban Agenda as the most important catalyst for achieving the SDGs, as a prerequisite for transformation. Its potential as an accelerator for achieving the SDGs cannot be underestimated, and this is a reminder that only by localizing actions we will be able to achieve all global goals,”- the Mayor of Kazan noted.

However, the coronavirus pandemic influenced all aspects of life and has worsened inequality, so the measures taken so far are not enough, I. Metshin emphasized.

“Local and regional authorities, despite it all, fought to maintain access to basic services throughout the pandemic, demonstrating that the provision of basic services is the cornerstone of the health response. Health care and basic services go hand in hand and should be the focus of our attention for recovery after the pandemic,”- the UNACLA President believes.

uring his speech, I. Metshin noted the need to strengthen the participation of local and regional authorities in national reporting.

Strengthening the participation of local and regional authorities will help to take into account all opinions and increase responsibility for the implementation of goals that are achievable only at the local level. “Our report shows that multi-level cooperation and coordination are crucial and, in some cases, it is necessary to review and update the management system. Local and regional authorities should participate in all recovery strategies, in particular in national recovery programs, to ensure total coverage,”- the Mayor of Kazan said.

In conclusion, I. Metshin called for the creation of a new system in which local and regional authorities will be fully involved in decision-making.

The UCLG Secretary-General Emilia Saiz and head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Mami Mizutori also addressed the participants of the event with a welcoming speech.

The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is the main international platform for monitoring and reviewing the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.