In his remarks on 2024 priorities to the General Assembly, António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, highlighted to member states that “peace can achieve wonders that wars never will.” The role of local and regional governments has become more relevant than ever in promoting peace and stability.
Carles Llorens, Secretary General of ORU Fogar, highlighted the vital work carried out by the Association of European Border Regions over the past fifty years in different parts of the world, including Latin America, where they have faced border conflicts and contributed to peace processes.
The perspective on the need to integrate culture into global development processes was emphasised by Stephen Wyber, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, who pointed out that development requires a behaviour change and that culture plays a crucial role in how we understand and respect each other.
On the other hand, Ernestine Ronai, head of the Observatory of Violence against Women from the Seine-Saint-Denis department, addressed the importance of including violence against women on the international agenda, highlighting its impact on democracy, social justice and women’s participation in decision-making.
Representing UNCDF in the Málaga Coalition for Municipal Finance, David Jackson stressed the importance of promoting local and regional government finances as part of development financing. Jackson underscored the need for collaboration between local and regional governments and international organisations to ensure equitable and sustainable development.
José Manuel Ribeiro, Mayor of Valongo and President of the International Observatory of Participatory Democracy highlighted the role of participatory democracy in building peaceful and inclusive societies, emphasising the importance of citizen participation mechanisms in combating populism and misinformation.
In the view of Francisco Toajas, Deputy of the Provincial Council of Seville, Co-Chair of the UCLG Committee on Local Economic and Social Development and Vice President of FAMSI, the relationship between local economic development and peace is fundamental. He emphasised the importance of strengthening local and regional governments to ensure the success of the 2030 Agenda and combat protectionism and setbacks in the ecological transition agenda.
Mauricio Rodas, former Mayor of Quito, presented the Global Commission for Urban SDG Finance and highlighted the financial challenges facing cities in the current context, emphasising the need for reforms in the global financial architecture to ensure that cities have the necessary resources to address 21st-century challenges.
Local and Regional governments play a crucial role in promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development at both local and global levels, and their collaboration with international organisations, together with their commitment to citizen participation, is essential to addressing the challenges of the current world to build a safer and more prosperous future for all.
This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of UCLG and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.