Regions Leading SDG Transformation

The Regions4SDGs initiative, launched in partnership with United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) at the Summit of the Future, 2024, in New York, aims to strengthen regional government capacities to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. With just six years remaining, this initiative provides members with the tools and support needed to meet the SDGs more effectively, addressing the urgency of achieving these global goals at both the required pace and scale. Read the annoucenment of our initiative here.

 

 

UN-Habitat and Regions4 Partnership

  • Empowering regional governments to drive SDG implementation with urgency and impact.

  • Partnering with UN-Habitat to scale effective solutions for a sustainable future.

  • Accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals at the regional level.

  • A critical opportunity to meet the SDGs by 2030 through strengthened regional capacity.

Why Regions Are Essential for SDG Acceleration

As reported by OECD, the achievement of at least 105 out of 169 targets of Agenda 2030 depends on local and regional action.  With strong political commitment and peer learning, Regions4 Members have developed globally recognized best practices. The initiative aims to transform these successes into a living framework, which will evolve alongside with best practices, and will provide a reference for technical assistance to regions on key enablers such as data, strategic decision-making, and implementation. As global SDG deadlines approach, this initiative provides a timely response to mobilize regional governments as key players in achieving the 2030 Agenda.

Regions4SDGs: Empowering Regions for a Sustainable Future 

The Regions4SDGs initiative is designed to enhance regional government capacity in sustainable development. Through a structured process, participating regions will develop comprehensive SDG strategies, improve stakeholder engagement, adopt best practices, and implement strong governance frameworks. This initiative is key to empowering regions to lead the way in achieving the 2030 Agenda. The project will run in three phases: 

  1. Creation of a global framework: practices by Regions4 members and other best performing regions will be analyzed to identify the most impactful and efficient actions and organized in a structured framework.

  2. Technical assistance: Regions4 and UN-Habitat will support regions in their path towards an improved institutional capacity.

  3. Fundraising support: leveraging on the increased ability to manage resources and deliver change provided by the implementation of the Regions4SDGs framework, regions will be assisted in collecting investments in their projects. 

 

 

 

What we want to achieve

    • Boost Institutional Capacity: Enhance your region’s capacity for SDGs implementation and attract investments. Participation will help your region improve resource management and deliver impactful projects, making them more appealing to investors. We connect regions with the right financial partners, showcasing your projects on a global stage.
    • Lead the Way: Be a model for peers, collaborate effectively with national and local governments, and strengthen your region’s role in global SDG dialogues.
    • Earn Recognition: Achieve high standards of transparency and accountability, building trust with citizens and stakeholders.
    • Attract Investment: Boost investor confidence with solid governance and monitoring frameworks, leading to increased funding opportunities.
    • Improve Financial Standing: Lower uncertainty and borrowing costs through better governance, potentially improving your region’s financial rating. 

Regions4SDGs Initiative

Regions4 and UN-Habitat are inviting interested regional governments, multi-lateral organizations, donors and technical service providers to join us as Founding Partners by providing seed funding for the Initiation Phase of this project. This phase aims to develop a global framework that enhances the institutional capacity of regional governments. If you are interested to support the Regions4SDGs iniatiative as a Founding Partner, contact us.

Why Become a Founding Partner?

Founding Partners gain leadership recognition as SDG Champions, influence project direction, and get priority access to financing opportunities. Donors and technical partners can collaborate with a global network of regional governments driving SDG innovation. 

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This project will help us to not only include regions, but cement their role in the multilateral system - Dr. Shipra Narang Suri, Chief of Urban Practices Branch, UN-Habitat

The Summit of the Future

On September 22 and 23, 2024, the UN General Assembly convened the Summit of the Future. A historic occasion for global leaders to agree on the priorities to tackle the world’s most pressing crises and to define a plan for a sustainable, equitable and peaceful future. A major highlight was the official signing of the Regions4 and UN-Habitat partnership agreement and launch of the Regions4SDGs initiative by Natalia Uribe Pando, Regions4 Secretary General, and Dr. Shipra Narang Suri, Chief of Urban Practices Branch, UN-Habitat. Read the Summit Highlights here

Join us!

All regions and interested partners are welcome to join use. Contact us to know more.

    Eugenio Amato, responsible
    of this project:

    Eugenio Amato

    Sustainable Development Goals Programme Officer

    eamato@regions4.org