The Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments for Post-2015 Agenda towards Habitat III @GTF2016 is a group composed by most representative local government associations and hosted by the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG).
As the focal point for local governments within the UN system, UN-Habitat has been actively participating in the Global Taskforce and supporting common activities for the recognition of the essential role that local government play in sustainable development.
The Global Taskforce is committed with raising the level of presence of local and regional governments in the international development agenda and, specifically, in assuring that the views of territorial governments are reflected in the post 2015 and Habitat III process.
The GTF2016 met in New York in May 2013 to bring the message of local governments to the High Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda.
During the last meeting in the UCLG World Congress of local and regional leaders in Rabat, October 2013, the GTF2016 approved a series of common efforts, calendar and themes to be included in the parallel agendas versus 2015 and its first implementing Conference, Habitat III.
Local governments see post 2015 closely intertwined with Habitat III, for them, this is the moment of recognition of their role in development and is their aspiration to be provided with the necessary capacities and resources to "do their job". The Global Taskforce represents an effort to work in an integrated manner with the member states and the United Nations System, bringing the complementary vision of local implementation of global priorities.
The Global Taskforce is hosted by UCLG and composed by the following organizations:
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United Cities and local governments |
UN Advisory Committee of Local Authorities |
International Assocition of French speaking Mayors |
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Arab Town Organization |
Commonwealth Local Government Forum |
Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development |
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Regions United |
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UCLG Asia - Pacific |
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UCLG Africa |
UCLG Middle East and Western Asia |
Federationof Latin America and Caribbean Municipal Associations |
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UCLG Eurasia |
UCLG North America |
International Council Environmental Initiatives |
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Fonds Mondiale pour le développement des villes |
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Partners
UN-Habitat, UNCDF, UNICEF, UNESCO, UNDCF, UNDP, ILO, European Commission, Millennium Campaign, One UN Secretariat, HLP Post 2015, DeLog, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Habitat for Humanity, Huairou Commission, Slum Dwellers International, SUEZ.
Friends of Sustainable Cities
UN-Habitat and the Global Taskforce have been working closely with the NY "Group of Friends of Sustainable Cities", a group of Permanent Representatives to the UN in New York that have been supporting the inclusion of cities and urban in the process of design of the Rio + 20 and follow up agenda. The group is actually constituted by the following member states:
Co-Chairs - Singapore and Sweden
Members at 1st November 2013 – Australia, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, France, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Maldives, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Poland, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, UAE and United Kingdom.
First set of priorities of the local and regional governments for the post 2015 agenda
As approved at the GTF2016 Meeting in Istanbul, March 2013
"The following key areas will be included in the Local and Regional Governments Development Agenda which aims at contributing and becoming an integral part of the Global Agenda.
- Democratic self‐governing, participative, efficient, accountable and resourced Local & Regional Government. All within the framework of a better intergovernmental coordination, harmonization processes and effective decentralization
- Food Security and Nutrition as basis for poverty eradication.
- Quality Universal Basic Service Provision geared towards reducing inequalities and improving the lives of slum dwellers, including a sensitive gender approach. These services should foster inclusive societies that are mindful of providing opportunities for youth.
- Local Economic Development, with a focus on pro ‐ poor policies and decent job creation in a green urban economy which promotes sustainable consumption and production.
- Sustainable Urbanization as source of development: well ‐planned designed and governed cities can generate economic 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.
- Culture as driver and enabler of development and people ‐ centered societies.
- Protection and sustainable management of the environment biodiversity and natural resources
- Local Government Development Cooperation (Decentralized Cooperation) as instrument to promote solidarity and peer learning
First set of priorities of local and regional governments for Habitat III
As approved at the GTF2016 meeting in Rabat, October 2013.
- Establish new multi-level and multi-partnership governance tools
- Develop legal and financial mechanisms to support local and territorial governments and enable them to appropriately harness their potential
- Promoting equal access to quality and sustainable basic services
- Eliminating inequalities and poverty as universal agenda
- Foster territorial cohesion among territories
- Urban planning as a tool
- Promote culture, diversity and creativity as a core element to build sustainable cities.
UN-Habitat welcomes the support of the GTF2016 to the stand-alone SDG on urban and invites member states to work together with their national local government associations towards Habitat III, by inviting them to participate in the National Habitat Committee, to support data collection and to gather ideas, fresh views, solutions and suggestions to the international table of negotiations for the New Urban Agenda of the XXI century.
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