Local governments approve to action the unfolding of the Pact for the Future
The municipal movement is gaining momentum as it enters a new cycle of opportunities, aiming to consolidate an official seat at the table as a significant global actor in redefining social, economic and governance systems. The SDG Summit in September 2023 will serve as the mid-term review of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and will mark the initial step for United Nations Member States to commence negotiations for the Summit of the Future in 2024. Additionally, the World Social Summit in 2025 will address key issues such as universal social protection, universal health coverage, housing, decent work, and education, while also forging a new social contract.
Led by UCLG, the world’s largest association of local and regional governments, the municipal movement finds itself at a pivotal moment in terms of strengthening effective multilateralism. A concrete work plan has been developed to unfold the vision and mission approved in the Pact for the Future of Humanity, which was adopted at UCLG’s World Congress in October 2022 in Daejeon.
The Brussels Urban Summit has provided UCLG members with a fresh opportunity to gather just before the intense period between September 2023 and September 2025. The Executive Bureau has approved a working plan based on four strategic priorities: reclaiming the commons, redefining finance and the economy, regaining trust, and rebuilding governance architecture. To achieve these goals, two essential tools are being utilized: high-impact partnerships for transformation and future envisioning exercises.
At the heart of this strategy lies an impactful agenda that prioritizes people and fosters a caring system. Trust, equality, solidarity, feminism, and freedom are integral elements of “Our Common Agenda,” driving the municipal movement towards a future moved by positive change.