The year 2023 is of pivotal importance for the SDGs. Adopted by the UN in 2015, Agenda 2030 has reached its middle point. As the consensus sees the world out of track for the achievement of its goals, the 2023 The United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and SDG Summit will be critical opportunities to review the hitherto pathway, renew global engagement and give a new impulse to the implementation of the Agenda. In this scenario, Regions play a crucial role as key actors for at least 65% of the Agenda 2030 targets.Â
This year, the HLPF will focus on SDGs 6 (clean water and sanitation), 7 (affordable and clean energy), 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), 11 (sustainable cities and communities), and 17 (partnerships for the Goals).Â
It will take place in person at the UN headquarters in New York. Four sessions will be of special interest for Subnational Governments:Â
Besides, several Side Events will be dedicated to the Subnational level.
Among the most relevant documents that will be presented, the GTF declaration will present the position of subnational governments in the review of the SDGs. You can find it here: STATEMENT -HLPF2023
Regions4, in collaboration with the Government of Flanders, is organizing a special side event to the HLPF on July 11th with the title “Innovative approaches to the implementation of SDGs at subnational level”. The event will see a high-level political segment that will focus on innovative actions on implementing and interlinking these SDGs. A second segment will bring the attention to tangible projects. Experts from Regions4 Member Governments will showcase initiatives that tackle one or more of these five dimensions of sustainable development, with a particular focus on interlinkages. Closing remarks by OECD will be followed by a networking lunch.Â
WHEN: July 11th from 9 AM to 12 PM ESTÂ
WHERE: Flanders House New York, 620 Eighth Avenue, 38th floor, New York, NY 10018, US.  Â
To attend, please register at this link by July 9th.
9:00 – Welcome messagesÂ
9:10 – Keynote speechÂ
9:20 – High-Level Segment – Policy and Governance Innovation for SDG LocalizationÂ
10:15 – Networking coffeeÂ
10:45 – Experts SegmentÂ
11:45 – ClosingÂ
12:00 – Networking lunchÂ
WHEN: July 12th
On July 12th, the Global Taskforce for Local and Regional Governments (GTF) is organizing a high-level side event to advocate for the role of Subnational Governments in the implementation of SDGs, with a focus on SDG 11. The event runs under the title “Harnessing high impact localization policies to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals through SDG 11 and towards the 2023 SDG Summit”. It will take place in person from 10 AM to 1 PM at the UN Headquarters, Conference Room 1. For all detail please visit: Local and Regional Governments Forum.  PARTICIPANTS MUST REGISTER UNDER THIS LINK BY JULY 5TH.Â
10:00-10:30 – OpeningÂ
10:30 – 12:45 – Interactive Dialogues Â
10:30 – 11 – Dialogue 1Â
11:00 – 11:30 – Dialogue 2
11:30 – 12:00 – Dialogue 3
12:00 – 12:45 – Localization and Innovation Exchange
12:45 – 13:00 – Closing
WHEN: July 13th
The Local and Regional Governments Day will bring together the participation of representatives from local and regional governments and their networks, international organizations, and civil society to advocate for a renewed governance and financial framework that empowers local and regional governments to ensure local service delivery, the right to housing, women’s empowerment and the protection of our ecosystems. It will focus on the key messages of the local and regional government constituency to the 2023 HLPF, the findings of the Global Taskforce’s “Towards the Localization of the SDGs” annual report, the importance of high-impact partnerships to achieve the SDGs and revisiting financial frameworks.Â
10:00 – 11:00 Opening Â
11:00 – 12:00 Launch of the Global Taskforce’s 7th “Towards the Localization of the SDGs” annual report Â
12:00 – 13:00 SDG11 High- Impact Partnerships Round table
14:30 – 16:00 Media for Cities Â
16:30 – 17:45 Vlr-vsr Days Official Launch   Â