City2City
COVID-19: Policy responses across Europe
02 July 2024 - Drawing on the content of this database of around 500 policy initiatives (April 2024), this report aims to present an overview of both large-scale government measures and collective agreements that impact on large groups of workers, setting this in the context of the evolving labour market situation.
…

02 July 2024 - The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of individuals and societies, including on the economy and labour markets, is unprecedented.

The impact of the global health emergency has placed a growing number of businesses under threat, putting the jobs of more and more workers at risk and impacting the livelihoods of many citizens.

Policymakers moved swiftly in an effort to mitigate the social and economic effects on businesses, workers and citizens. Eurofound’s COVID-19 EU PolicyWatch database provides information on initiatives introduced to cushion these effects.

This report draws on the content of this database of around 500 policy initiatives as of April 2024. It aims to provide an overview of both large-scale government measures and collective agreements impacting on larger groups of workers and sets this into the context of the evolving labour market situation.

Read the full report here or download the attached PDF of the report.

Expand
Hamamatsu Voluntary Local Review Report 2019
01 July 2024 - 
…

Hamamatsu City is a government ordinance designated city, located between Tokyo and Osaka along the Pacific coast, with an area of 1,558km2 and a population of about 800,000. The population of the city is on a downward trend from its peak in 2008. It is projected that the population trend will continue and the aging ratio (27% as of 2018) will increase. One of the features with regard to the population in Hamamatsu is the number of foreign nationals, which accounts for 3% of the total population, 1% higher than the national average.

As a result of the merger of 12 local municipalities in July 2005, Hamamatsu became the second largest municipal area nationwide with diverse natural and social environment that includes urban, rural, mountainous and hilly areas. For this reason, it is referred to as a government ordinance-designated city that is a model of Japan in miniature. With rich forest and fishery resources, the primary industry is thriving in Hamamatsu. In addition, the city is famous for manufacturing and is the location of large corporations that are active on the global stage, such as Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawai, Hamamatsu Photonics, Roland, and FCC. Not only large companies but also small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and venture companies are also active. The higher ratio of primary and secondary industries compared to other government-ordinance designated cities in Japan is one of the characteristics of Hamamatsu.

Challenges

Hamamatsu City faces various challenges including the administrative costs to maintain and upgrade municipal services covering large administrative area, independence of underpopulated areas, administrative services that can meet to socio-economic environment and social needs that changes according to the population decline, low birthrate and progressive aging society, and co-existence with foreign residents. Against the background of the nuclear disaster as a result of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the subsequent deregulation of the electric power industry, Hamamatsu is also facing the need to put measures in place to continue to secure a stable supply of energy and to protect people’s lives and livelihoods against natural disasters (disaster prevention and mitigation).

Localisation and mainstreaming of the SDGs in Hamamatsu City

To tackle with a lot of local challenges, Hamamatsu City is managing city administration in partnership with various local stakeholders and by leveraging municipal budgets and local resources effectively. The Hamamatsu City Comprehensive Plan, the 30-year plan from 2015 is integrated with the principles of the SDGs, and therefore the city is promoting the SDGs implementation through the implementation of the comprehensive plan. The comprehensive plan of the city was drawn up using backcasting techniques. The comprehensive plan includes 12 vision-points for the desirable future of city called the “One Dozen Futures” and sets out comprehensive policies to achieve the vision. In the process of making the comprehensive plan, "the Hamamatsu Future Design Council" composed of experts and citizens having different backgrounds was established to review and discuss the plan. In addition to the discussion at the Council, the city interviewed citizens to hear and reflect more voices from citizens.

Read the full report here or download the attached PDF of the report.

Expand
Voluntary Subnational Review: Oaxaca, Mexico
01 July 2024 - This preliminary version of the Voluntary Subnational Review is a first report on the activities that Oaxaca has carried out in relation to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, as well as a space for reflection and self-evaluation that identifies the challenges and lessons learned.
…

This exercise will be complemented by a methodology that enables the inclusion of citizens, academia, and the productive sector to evaluate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in the state and municipalities. Additionally, management and performance indicators will have to be built to allow monitoring and faithful monitoring of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its impact, in order to generate periodic evaluations of the work carried out in the state and municipalities.

Subnational Level

1. As part of the efforts at the subnational level, a diagnosis was made of the situation in Oaxaca to determine the level of linkage between the planning structure and the state priorities with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

  • An analysis of the compatibility of the goals of the 17 SDGs with the objectives set out in the 2016-2022 State Development Plan
  • An exercise to link the 97 indicators of the 2018 budget programs with the 240 indicators of the 2030 Agenda
  • A classification of the 240 indicators of the 2030 Agenda according to the competencies, attributions, and scope of the 32 dependencies that make up the State Public Administration

2. The Legal Group made a proposal to reform the State Planning Law with the modification of 27 of its 121 articles, with the objective that the SDGs are considered in the planning process and that sustainable development is understood in its three dimensions: social, economic, and environmental.

3. The 2016-2022 State Development Plan is the governing document of public policy in Oaxaca. Currently, work is being done to update this plan with a focus on sustainability framed in the 2030 Agenda.

4. In 2018, the 12 sector plans, which establish the priorities, objectives, goals; as well as the current expenditure and investment estimates of each sector for the fulfillment of its objectives, were aligned in its strategic framework to the 2030 Agenda.

5. Three trainings were carried out during 2019 related to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for state public officials, municipal authorities, the staff of the Technical Liaison Modules, and for students of the Economics Department at the Benito Juarez Autonomous University.

Multi-Actor Alliances

1. The methodology for the inclusion of civil society, academia, and the productive sector was set up through which three Working Committees have formed: 1) Social Inclusion, 2) Economic Growth and 3) Environmental Sustainability, considering the three dimensions of sustainable development. These committees are integrated by representatives of state agencies, civil society, academia, and the productive sector. They aim to be a space for public policy innovation.

2. The Government of the State of Oaxaca has a technical cooperation agreement with the GIZ, which has the purpose of contributing to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda at the state and municipal level so that the vision of sustainable development is adopted for the fulfillment of the SDGs.

Municipal Level

1. As part of the technical cooperation with the GIZ, the Municipal Sustainable Development Plans Guide was prepared, which has as its main objective to guide the municipal governments in the preparation of the Municipal Development Plans with a participatory approach and sustainable development.

2. Likewise, in this same cooperation, a pilot sample of 10 municipalities was chosen to work in a coordinated manner with the GIZ and the Technical Work Committee in municipal planning, the prioritization of works, and citizen participation.

3. In order to strengthen the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, 547 Municipal Social Development Councils have been installed, which are spaces for a plural and inclusive participation and dialogue for the implementation of this agenda and are constituted as instances of linkage of the three levels of government, the social, and private sectors.

Read the full report here or download the attached PDF of the report.

Expand
Towards the New Normal: Learning from the crisis to improve territorial governance
01 July 2024 - The first session of the Policy, Legislation, and Governance Webinar Series, titled Towards the New Normal: learning from the crisis to improve territorial governance, was held on Monday 29th of June.
…

01 July 2024 - The first session of this webinar series titled Towards the New Normal: Learning from the crisis to improve territorial governance jointly organised with the global network United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) took place on Monday, June 29, 2024.

The objectives of this session were to:

  • Understand the challenges that local authorities are facing to finance and handle the Covid-19 recovery as well as the role of national governments in supporting local governments.
  • Learn more about the governance mechanisms that have functioned in the face of Covid-19 and will be kept for the recovery phase.
  • Discuss the mechanism/policies/legal frameworks for local government to promote a sustainable economic recovery and coordinate actors and sectors as a forward-looking integrated territorial response.
  • Discuss the ways to support Local and Regional governments in their responsibility and roles when facing post-COVID recovery, as they continue to be in front lines for most challenges.

The session was jointly organised by UN-Habitat and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG).

Speakers:

  • DAVID NABARRO, Imperial College IGHI | WHO COVID-19 Special Envoy | 4SD Leadership Mentoring Geneva CH
  • EMILIA SAIZ, Secretary-General of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)
  • SHIPRA NARANG SURI, Chief, Urban Practices Branch (OIC), Global Solutions Division, UN-Habitat
  • EMANI KUMAR, Deputy Secretary-General, ICLEI; Executive Director, ICLEI South Asia
  • MOHAMED SEFIANI, Mayor of Chefchaouen (Morocco) and President of the Forum of Intermediary Cities of UCLG

Discussants:

  • Oliver Hillel – Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
  • Anne Amin – Legal Specialist -UN-Habitat
  • Karim Hussein - Senior International Development Expert and Strategic Advisor

The session was moderated by:

  • Firdaous Oussidhoum, Special adviser to the Secretary-General UCLG

View the concept note and more information about the webinar: http://urbanpolicyplatform.org/policy-legislation-and-governance-webinar-series/

Expand
Sustainable Stimuli II: Designing sustainable post-pandemic recovery programs in developing countries
01 July 2024 - This session, co-hosted by the Asia LEDS Partnership (ALP) and the LEDS Transport Working Group, focuses on the rationales and underlying mechanisms behind the design of sustainable stimulus packages. Panelists will delve into the sustainability potential of government response to the economic fallout of the pandemic.
…

01 July 2024 - This session, co-hosted by the Asia LEDS Partnership (ALP) and the LEDS Transport Working Group, focuses on the rationales and underlying mechanisms behind the design of sustainable stimulus packages. Panelists will delve into the sustainability potential of government response to the economic fallout of the pandemic.

In this session, we will address a broad range of questions, including:

  • What are the possible mechanisms to make economic stimuli SDG-proof?
  • Based on what rationales and indicators are specific measures (and not others) selected as components of stimulus packages?
  • What is the potential of sustainable public investments in the economic recovery of developing countries?
  • What specific challenges do developing countries face in the transport sector?
  • How can sustainable transport & energy modes and technologies contribute to sustained growth in Asia?
  • Can India’s fiscal stimulus boost investments in sustainable energy & transport?
  • Can the European Green Deal or the German recovery package function as a model for developing countries?

The Speakers:

  • Moderator & Introduction: Alexander Ochs, Chair of the LEDS Energy Working Group & CEO, SD Strategies, Berlin
  • Rajat Kathuria, Director, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, New Delhi
  • Michael Schäfer, Senior Advisor, Agora Energiewende, Berlin
  • Maruxa Cardama, Secretary-General, Partnership on Sustainable Low Carbon Transport (SLOCAT), London
  • Martin Kaspar, Policy Officer Climate Finance, European Commission, Brussels

Event Details:

This series is organized by Berlin think tank SD Strategies for the LEDS Energy Working Group. The session is co-hosted by the Asia LEDS Partnership and the LEDS Transport Working Group.

Download the attached PDF for more information on the event and speaker series.

Expand
Cities on the Frontline Speaker Series #17 'Metropolitan Resilience’
29 June 2024 - This week’s topic will focus on ‘Metropolitan Resilience and how metropolitan areas have responded to the Covid19 crisis'. We will be joined by Mario Silva, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Planning Institute of Guadalajara, Xavier Tiana, Director of International Affairs at the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona and Octavi de la Varga, Secretary-General of Metropolis.
…

29 June 2024 - Please join us for the 17th Session of Cities on the Frontline, jointly organized by Global Resilient Cities Network & the World Bank.

This week’s topic will focus on ‘Metropolitan Resilience and how metropolitan areas have responded to the Covid-19 crisis'. We will be joined by Mario Silva, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Planning Institute of Guadalajara, Xavier Tiana, Director of International Affairs at the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona and Octavi de la Varga, Secretary-General of Metropolis.

The session will take place on Thursday, 2 July 2024, at 9.30 AM EST / 1.30 PM GMT / 09.30 PM Singapore Time. Please register here: https://bit.ly/metropolitanresilience

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing log-in info and a calendar detail that can be added to your system.

Missed a session? For access to the previous sessions' materials, visit our Speaker Series webpage for full access to the presentations & recordings: https://bit.ly/citiesonthefrontline

Expand
Voluntary Local Review: The implementation of the UN SDGs in Mannheim 2030
29 June 2024 - The City of Mannheim has developed the “Mannheim 2030” Mission Statement from the 17 UN sustainability goals in a large-scale public participation process. It sets out how we intend to live in Mannheim in 2030 and in doing so live up to our global responsibilities.
…

29 June 2024 - Since January 2016, the United Nations (UN) 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have served as a blueprint for all nations of the UN to implement sustainable development strategies. To formulate and implement an effective sustainable development strategy in the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region, Mannheim’s municipal government must take a leadership role and be decisive in this capacity. The slogan “Think global, act local” makes sense here as we must be actively responsible in our efficient allocation and use of resources, especially considering the world’s social, economic, and ecological factors are more internationally linked than ever before.

This notion emphasizes the importance of efficient budget planning, coexistence in international and diverse cities, as well as intelligent consumption of food, water, energy, and other goods. Mannheim’s Fair-Trade Town program is an example of the city’s commitment to international relations, as it demonstrates Mannheim’s willingness to engage in fair economic interaction with other international cities and entities. Another key project is “Smart City Mannheim” which focuses on a strategy for modernizing and coordinating a variety of current and future digitalization and clean energy projects. From the medical technology industry to new mobility and industry 4.0, our future and the development of Mannheim are linked by several factors that will shape the city.

The City of Mannheim has developed the “Mannheim 2030” Mission Statement from the 17 UN sustainability goals in a large-scale public participation process. It sets out how we intend to live in Mannheim in 2030 and in doing so live up to our global responsibilities. We will regularly report the progress we have made in this regard to our citizens as well as the United Nations in a Voluntary Local Review (VLR). In this first VLR, we report on how we are achieving the “Mannheim 2030” Mission Statement with a description of the associated indicators and the measures we are already implementing to this end.

Access the full Voluntary Local Review here: https://www.local2030.org/pdf/vlr/mannheim-vlr-2024.pdf

Expand
Shaping the global agenda to maximize city leadership on the SDGs: The experience of vanguard cities
29 June 2024 - Mayors and local government officials are forming the frontlines of SDG implementation, translating the agenda’s lofty and sometimes abstract aspirations into progress felt by real people living in real communities.
…

29 June 2024 - As countries adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, the inclusion of a separate goal on urbanization (SDG 11)—to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable—was hailed as a breakthrough, establishing the significance of cities to the 2030 Agenda.

Five years in, it is clear that cities matter beyond the confines of SDG 11. Interdependencies between SDG 11 and the other SDGs ripple throughout the agenda. Even more importantly, mayors and local government officials are forming the frontlines of SDG implementation, translating the agenda’s lofty and sometimes abstract aspirations into progress felt by real people living in real communities.

These local leaders are adapting the goals and targets set at the national level to their own local realities, though a universally accepted set of local metrics and indicators does not exist. They seek to advance the entire range of SDGs, as all of the SDGs matter for their constituents, even if they don’t have direct authority over every issue.

During a three-day gathering from April 3-6, 2019 at the Bellagio Rockefeller Center, senior government officials from 14 cities worldwide that are in the vanguard of localizing the SDGs, provided their perspectives in sharing a city-specific agenda for scaling local SDG implementation and refining high-value practices began to emerge. This brief reflects the policy implications of mayoral and city leadership on the SDGs based on their experiences and guidance, with associated recommendations to help accelerate and deepen progress on the SDGs at the local level.

Read the full report here: https://www.brookings.edu/research/shaping-the-global-agenda-to-maximize-city-leadership-on-the-sdgs/

Expand
Volunteers as Essential Community Heroes: the Role of Volunteering in driving action on Covid-19 and the SDGs
27 June 2024 - Volunteer Groups Alliance: We will focus on the critical role that volunteers have played across the world delivering the SDGs and helping build stronger, more resilient, and inclusive communities for the final decade of action.
…

Given the current context of Covid-19, we will include case studies demonstrating how volunteers have played a key role in responding to the pandemic. Governments and institutional partners will share evidence of how volunteers have supported the Covid-19 response, through mobilisation of community health workers, promoting responsible public health messaging, combating fake news, and supporting marginalised children’s access to education, as well as accountability of delivering the SDG agenda.

When: Jul 7, 2024 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Topic: Volunteer Groups Alliance Side Event to the UN High-Level Political Forum 2024

Register for the Event Here: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?page=view&type=20000&nr=6942&menu=2993

Expand
Leadership in Cities amidst COVID-19
27 June 2024 - The prestigious Pritzker Forum on Global Cities, co-organized by the Chicago Council on Foreign Affairs and the Financial Times, was cancelled this year due to the pandemic. They asked leading experts from around the world, including the Executive Director of UN-Habitat Maimunah Mohd Sharif, to join them in putting together a video on the important role of city leadership.