On 16 July 2024, experts from Member States, the United Nations (UN), and civil society gathered at Quaker House to discuss ways in which the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be made more relevant and responsive at the local level. This informal breakfast discussion, hosted in partnership with the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) and the Transparency, Accountability, and Participation (TAP) Network, saw participants reflect on progress made and lessons learned during the past nine years of global efforts to implement the SDGs.  

The SDGs were envisioned as a transformational roadmap for people and planet, bringing us closer to the vision of a world where all can thrive and live in safety, in dignity, and free from want. To achieve this vision, it has broadly been recognised that these global goals must be localised to allow communities, households, and individuals to take ownership of peace and development initiatives. One participant remarked that this local ownership must be prioritised at all stages, including design, implementation, and review.  

During the discussion, participants identified practical ways to approach SDG localisation uplifting examples of good practice and highlighting persisting challenges. It was recognised that localisation is not only about getting local communities to buy into a global policy agenda, but also ensuring that local voices and experiences are heard at the global level. Shifting away from the traditional approach of global to local would allow for a better understanding of capacity, needs and priorities that can be measured consistently, as several participants emphasised.  

Mexico was highlighted as a global pioneer in promoting the development of Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs), providing technical assistance to local governments to build capacity and assist with data collection. Participants emphasized that having concrete, localised data allows for informed policymaking that is responsive to the unique needs of local communities. 

As we approach 2030, the urgency to achieve the SDGs becomes increasingly pressing. QUNO New York will continue to uplift efforts to transform these global goals into reality for all peoples, both globally and locally.