If we want to achieve the SDGs, we need to think about how we are going to fund them. Financing the local implementation of SDGs will bring visible impact in the lives of the people. In this, cities and local governments are key players, as they are the ones that can provide the link between the global agendas and the citizen.

The event is opened to local and regional governments, ministries in charge of planning, finances or overall implementation of Agenda 2030, as well as selected partners such development banks, donors and private sector with the objective to identify existing experiences, gathering data and providing solutions to the challenge of how to finance the implementation of the SDGs at local level.

The approval of Agenda 2030 in September 2015 constitutes a unique opportunity for the world we live in. For the first time, all the member states of the United Nations committed to eradicating poverty, making the first universal plan of action for people, planet and prosperity.

Within the Agenda 2030, cities take a very special place as instruments for growth, equality and opportunity, as for the first time, an objective dedicated exclusively to cities was included in the Agenda. SDG 11 wants to “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”.

Cities cannot be an opportunity for all in the absence of able, capable and accountable local governments. Local and regional governments all over the world are already committed to implement the SDGs at local level and their global networks have been very present in the design and first stages of implementation of the Agenda 2030.

This first edition of the Venice City Solutions wants to explore how to make SDGs a reality for all from the local level. The event wants to bring a multi-level contribution on existing solutions and challenges to finance the SDGs at local level.

OCDE recently published that 65% of the SDG targets are already in the hands of local and regional governments. Financing the localization of the SDGs will ensure to achieve already 65% of the Agenda 2030. According to UN agencies such the United Nations Capital Development Fund, investing at local level also produces one of the highest returns in investment and it touches the lives of people right away.

Organizers:

The event is hosted by the Italian Association for the Council of European Municipalities (AICCRE) and financially supported by Platforma and UNACLA, with the technical contribution of FMDV. The event is co-organised by UNDP, UN-Habitat, UNCDF and United Cities and Local Governments.

The City Solutions Series wants to identify trends and innovation in local public management by linking the examples from specific territory with its contribution to achieve the global agendas, including the SDGs, the Paris Agreement, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and the New Urban Agenda. The proposal is this will be the first edition of the Venice City Solutions, with possible editions in the subsequent years, concentrating in each occasion in one theme of relevance for the local implementation of the SDGs.

A technical visit to the City of Venice is also included in the programme on Saturday 17th November for participants wishing to stay. The visit will include aspects of how the unique city of Venice is facing urban sustainability and inclusion for its inhabitants within a highly challenging environment.