Local and Regional Governments

44 Pages·2013·2.84 MB·English

local and
regional
governments
The change in the and setbacks in modes
dominant habitat of of production; and
the world population providing new content
makes the process to norms, culture and
of urbanization to aesthetics. Cities have
be among the most become a major locus
significant global of power and politics
trends of the twenty- consequently influencing
first century. Cities vision achievement
and urban places in and dictating policy
general now occupy the outcomes. They are
centre stage in global also a major factor in
development. They no environmental trends
longer function as mere and sustainability
spaces for settlement, processes. Urbanization
production and services. is thus providing the
They now profoundly setting, the underlying
shape and influence base, and also the
social and political momentum for global
relations at every level; change.
determining advances
UN-HABITAT INPUTS TO THE UNITED
NATIONS POST 2015 TASK TEAM
2 LOCAL AND REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS, PARTNERS FOR THE GLOBAL AGENDA | www.uclg.org
Table
of contents
02
About UCLG
The international Why cities matter
sub-national movement:
the need for a next phase
page 4 page 20
01 03
The global network of local UCLG in action
and regional governments
page 24
A TARGETED WORK PROGRAMME
THE KEY ACHIEVEMENTS OF LOCAL 04
AND REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS
A DEMOCRATIC STRUCTURE
TIMELINE 2004-2010
UCLG Committees and
RECENT WORK BUILDING ON OUR
Working Groups
HISTORY 2011-12
page 8 page 40
This document provides an overview of the work done by the world organization,
and some facts and figures that support the argument for allocating a special
place to the political voice of local and sub-national leaders (mayors, councillors
and presidents of regional authorities) in the UN Forums.
3
About UCLG
United Cities and Local
Governments (UCLG) United Cities and Local Governments UCLG currently gathers 153 national
(UCLG) is a membership based and regional associations in over
represents the interests
international association seated in 140 UN member states which
of local and regional Barcelona, Spain and the inheritor of represent 3 quarters of the world
an international movement of local population. This makes it the
governments on the
and regional governments and their leading worldwide organization
world stage, regardless
national associations dating back representing local and regional
of the size of the to 1913. UCLG organised the first associations internationally. It
World Assembly of Local Authorities can be safely stated that almost
communities they serve.
and Cities in 1996 at the occasion every single existing national
Headquartered
of the UN Conference Habitat II in association of local authorities in
in Barcelona, the Istanbul. As international association the planet is member of UCLG. The
UCLG´s operations are financed above guarantees close links of its
organisation’s stated
by membership-fees based on the membership with their respective
mission is: population represented by members. national governments. Additionally
the direct membership of thousands
Following Habitat II in 2004 the of cities and regional authorities
To be the united voice
three generalist global associations provide UCLG first hand contact with
and world advocate of cities and regional authorities leaders and urban issues.
(IULA, UTO and Metropolis) came
of democratic local
together to give shape to one Currently UCLG has also started
self-government,
principal international counterpart the process of structural
promoting its values, for local and regional authorities. colaboration of the single generalist
UCLG was formally created in organization of regional1
objectives and
May of that year in Paris with (sub-national) authorities,
interests, through
the presence of 3000 mayors, Organization United Regions
cooperation between presidents of regions, councilors (ORU-FOGAR) fulfilling its original
and representatives or most of aspiration to provide a single
local governments,
the existing national associations voice to all subnational spheres of
and within the around the planet. government at international level.
wider international
community.
1 Under “regional governments/authorities” we understand the first territorial level below the state. This definition
therefore encompasses territories of different sizes with different names and different forms of government depending
on the national constitutions. This concept is understood in the United Nations texts as sub-national governments.
4 LOCAL AND REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS, PARTNERS FOR THE GLOBAL AGENDA | www.uclg.org
The international
sub-national movement:
The need for a next phase
UCLG’s Agenda
The Sub-national international
movement, dating back to 1913,
was initiated on the basis that
there is a unique perspective that
local and regional government can
provide to global challenges, and
that responsibilities cannot be faced
individually by one city, nation or
stakeholder.

The past decades have seen
important changes in our planet.
We have seen the transition from a
rural to an urban world.
The needs and demands of citizens
are changing and phenomena such
as Climate Change have put local and UCLG Mayors delegation met Kofi Annan, UN secretary general in New york on 9 September 2005
regional governments at the forefront
in facing many global challenges:
population swifts, multicultural
dialogue, tackling disasters and risk, Current Status:
providing access to basic services
Towards Permanent Observer Status
and contributing to increasing
participatory governance.
Local governments have a long Voicing the views of local leaders
The United Nations Goals are history of cooperation with the who represent over 3 quarters
closely intertwined with the goals UN and UCLG: founding local of the world population, UCLG is
of well-functioning local and government organisations have held committed to supporting the United
regional governments in service of Non-Governmental Organisation Nations in developing an inclusive
their communities. This has been, (NGO) Consultative Status with the and sustainable global agenda by
recognized over the past 100 years, United Nations Economic and Social contributing their special perspective
most recently in the Rio+20 Outcome Council (ECOSOC) since 1947. offered by their proximity to their
document in which both the role Local and regional governments citizens. The current possibilities of
played up to now and the future roles have therefore participated in participation are however insufficient
of local and regional authorities have United Nations meetings and in two respects: (1) locally elected
been included in the international summits over several decades. and political representatives are
sustainability policy. Addressing UCLG is the formal representative of classified as NGOs; (2) it does not
the barriers that stand in the way this constituency before numerous provide a direct link with the elected
of development and environmental bodies, and most notably has representatives of the General
sustainability is largely a local and working relations with most of the Assembly, the UN’s principal policy-
regional responsibility. UN agencies. making body.
5
Need for structural
collaboration
UCLG could become a catalyst for the
between UN and
collaboration and representation of
Cities and Regions
local and regional authorities. It would
enable multiple existing voices to be There are numerous networks of
cities and their associations working
expressed in international policy making
on specific issues. However, in
and contribute to shaping political and view of the Post 2015 Agenda
and, in particular, the Habitat III
technical positions of local governments. conference, the need for an overall
representative that can facilitate the
mobilization and articulation of the
different views and inputs becomes
imperative. UCLG has started
consultations with the key thematic
The Local and
networks of local governments to
Regional Governments facilitate this representation.
Global Taskforce
Local and Regional Governments
organizations -gathered in a Global
The new development agenda should be ONE
Taskforce for Post 2015- are fully
(integrating all processes) and universal while
committed to end extreme poverty
in all its forms, in the context of also recognizing differentiated responsibilities.
sustainability for all. It should acknowledge local and regional
As the government bodies charged governments as a specific sphere of government
with much of the responsibility for and as key actors in development building on their
meeting many of the MDGs and
proven contribution to developing innovative
proposed post-2015 goals commit to
solutions to address global and local challenges.
addressing local and regional govern-
ments address these responsibilities
and demonstrating how poverty
reduction, prosperity and sustainable
Local and regional authorities stress Local and Regional Governments, as
development can be combined.
the need to pay special attention levels of government closest to the
Building on the Rio+20 outcome to the following cross-cutting people, should commit to mobilizing
document that recognizes local and issues which are core values in any populations and fostering solidarity
sub-national authorities as key part- development agenda: and understanding on the global
ners, as contribution to the High Level agenda by local communities.
Panel discussions and engaging on Local democratic governance,
the ongoing intergovernmental inclusive, transparent and Local and Regional Government
process on financing, they express participatory networks gathered in the Global
Taskforce for Post 2015 and their
their commitment to support the defi-
Peaceful societies and dialogue
development partners commit to
nition of a new development agenda.
working together and contributing
Human Rights, promotion of
They highlight the need to ensure jointly to the international policy
gender equality, cultural diversity
that the new development agenda is making process as well as supporting
and opposing any discrimination
people centered; focusing on the actors the global, people-centered and
and institutions that are needed to Sustainable development that planet-sensitive agenda to address the
build sustainability and prosperity. will be planet and people-sensitive universal challenges of the 21st century.
6 LOCAL AND REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS, PARTNERS FOR THE GLOBAL AGENDA | www.uclg.org
Global taskforce The Key areas to be included in the Local and Regional Governments
Development Agenda that aims at contributing and becoming an integral part
of local and
of the Global Agenda.
regional
01
governments for
post-2015 Democratic self-governing and participative, efficient, accountable and
resourced Local & Regional Government. All within the framework of better
and towards
intergovernmental coordination, harmonization processes and effective
Habitat iii decentralization.
02
Food Security and Nutrition as basis for poverty eradication.
03
Quality Universal Basic Service Provision geared towards reducing
inequalities and improving the lives of slum dwellers, including a gender
sensitive approach. These services should foster inclusive societies that are
mindful of providing opportunities for youth.
04
Local Economic Development, with a focus on pro-poor policies and decent
job creation in a green urban economy which promotes sustaınable con-
sumption and production.
05
Sustainable Urbanization as source of development: well-planned designed
and governed cities can generate economıc growth and means of livelihood.
It will include a territorial approach and cohesion, with special attention to
climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and safe cities.
06
Culture as driver and enabler of development and people-centered societies.
07
Protection and sustainable management of environmental biodiversity and
natural resources.
08
Local Government Development Cooperation (Decentralized Cooperation) as
instrument to promote solidarity and peer learning.
Istanbul Communiqué, March 2013
7
01
UCLG:
THE GLOBAL
NETWORK
OF LOCAL
AND REGIONAL
GOVERNMENTS
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A targeted work
programme
UCLG’s work programme focuses on In this era of networks, UCLG, as the In this regard, UCLG has
global network of local and regional
Increasing the role and influence a unique convening role
governments, needs to expand its
of local government and its
as network of networks
contacts and allow for exchanges
representative organisations in
beyond its membership. and as formal chair of the
global governance;

United Nations Committee
Becoming the main source of
It needs to build on local and global
support for democratic, effective, of Local Authorities.
knowledge and intelligence to
innovative local government close ensure access to diverse views and UCLG members are
to the citizen;
innovative solutions. also members of other
Ensuring an effective and
thematic networks.
democratic global organisation.
UCLG Sections
UCLG has a decentralized structure with 7 Regional Sections in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Euro-Asia, Europe, Latin America,
Middle East and West Asia, North America and a Metropolitan section. These Regional and Metropolitan Sections are
independant legal entites which conduct their own regional activites.
NORTH AMeRiCA eURASiA ASiA-PACifiC
UCLG -NORAM UCLG-EURASIA UCLG-ASPAC
LATiN AMeRiCA MiddLe eAST ANd WeST ASiA MeTROPOLiTAN SeCTiON
FLACMA UCLG-MEWA METROPOLIS
eUROPe AfRiCA fORUM Of ReGiONS
CEMR UCLG-AFRICA Negociations in process to become a
formal UCLG Sections
9
The key achievements
of local authorities
Local governments have achieved special status in international policies:
01 Local authorities are identified as one of nine ‘major groups’ in
Agenda 21. Presidency of UCLG
02 Local governments have recently achieved recognition at major UN
and international meetings such as Beijing +10, the Millennium +5 The Presidency,
Summit of Heads of State and the World Water Forum.
comprising the
03 Local government representatives have a special relationship with President and up to
UN-Habitat and through Rule 64 have distinct rights to participate 5 Co-Presidents is
as observers in the UN-Habitat Governing Council.
elected by the World
04 In 2000, the United Nations Advisory Committee of Local Council from among
Authorities (UNACLA) was established as a body of local elected local government
representatives that advise the UN-Habitat Executive Director. members for a
renewable term
05 UCLG has been asked to advise on the high-level UN Panel on the
between two ordinary
Alliance of Civilisations to ensure that the views of the world’s
mayors and councillors are taken into account in the report to the sessions of the General
UN General Assembly.
Assembly.
06 UN-DESA invited UCLG to the Advisor Board of the Development
Cooperation Forum.
07 UCLG represented local and regional authorities in the OECD
Working Party on Aid Effectiveness.
08 In 2010, UNFCCC COP 16 acknowledged local authorities as a
governmental stakeholder in issues related to the Climate Change
agreements.
09
The President of UCLG and Mayor of Istanbul was appointed in July
2012 to the United Nations Panel of Eminent persons for the Post
2015 Process.
UCLG has cooperation agreements and working relations with most of
the UN Agencies, including UN- Habitat, UNESCO, the United Nations
Development Program, UNITAR, UN-Women, ILO, the Alliance of
Civilizations and the World Bank.
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