Side Event at HLPF: «The Latin America experience localizing the implementation of Agenda 2030»

The side event present experiences in three countries in LAC region: Argentina, Brazil and Chile, in implementing the Agenda 2030 at the local level. The event was chaired by ECLAC and demonstrate good practices in those countries showing that the multi stakeholder approaches that bring together local authorities and civil society are effective in localizing the SDGs and should be promoted during the regional Forums.

The presentation was given by Alessandra Nilo of Gestos and moderated by Mabel Bianco.

Alessandra Nilo, General Coordinator of GESTOS, in her opening remarks addressed the relevance of local governments role in the territorialization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Latin America and the Caribbean face significant challenges, as most national governments have implemented some form of governance for the 2030 Agenda through National Commissions, inter-ministerial groups or ad-hoc models. He highlighted that it is of concern that at the city level there are still few governance spaces dedicated to addressing the 2030 Agenda. He also stressed the importance of inclusive governance structures, with social participation and the need for recognition and respect for the role of the different actors, but the need to recognize civil society as a development partner.

She also provided suggestions and innovative approaches not only for ECLAC, but also for other Regional Forums of the Sustainable Development Goals around the world. At this crucial point in the timeline for achieving the SDGs, it was emphasized that it is critical to intensify efforts to strengthen participation in regional multilateral bodies, ensuring that all stakeholders benefit from channels and spaces for mutual collaboration and work effectively to ensure human rights, especially for people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.

Mabel Bianco of FEIM then took on the role of moderator and highlighted the importance of the participation of the Civil Society Coordination Mechanism established in 2019, which has played a key role in insisting on and contributing the voice of the diversity of groups that make up the mechanism in the countries and at the regional level, even during the most difficult moments of the pandemic. He noted ECLAC’s support and the growing interest in the voluntary national reports being considered at the Regional Forum, given the proximity between the different actors at the regional level, which is more difficult at the global level. Therefore, this event is an expression of this review and joint work of the different regional actors where civil society is an indisputable partner without losing its autonomy and independence.

Then the ECLAC Representative Mr. Raúl García Buchaca made the presentation of the event pointing out how from 2019 when the civil society stated that «Two monologues do not make a dialogue». ECLAC was able to develop a working link with the Civil Society Participation Mechanism that brings together the diversity of groups in the region, which is expressed in this parallel event that shows the degree of articulation of the different actors. For ECLAC, this event is an expression of the regional achievements of which it is proud.

Experiences in Latin America

Chile

The experience was narrated by Ambassador Carla Serazzi, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who presented the Rapa Nui Initiative, «A mirror territory of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda», by Mr. Pedro Pablo Edmundo Paoa, Mayor of Rapa Nui. The initiative demonstrates how communities, local governments, can play a key role in the effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Some of the lessons learned were the importance of public decisions based on local principles and values, a transparent and close communication, and the sustainable use of limited resources.

Argentina

The experience of Argentina was presented by Marisol Merkel, President of the Social Policy Council, Presidency of Argentina and Matías Sotomayor, Coordinator of the Social Policy Council, Presidency of Argentina. They presented the following video of localization in the province of Tierra del Fuego:

Brazil

FIOCRUZ presented the experience of working in a favela where they managed to involve the population and reduced mortality due to covid-19 to almost zero.

Then was the turn of Mayor Renata Sene from the Municipality of Francisco Morato in Sao Paulo. The Agenda has been implemented for 7 years and achieved excellent results in terms of improved indicators.

Finally, the director of UNAIDS in Brazil presented the work they did with people living with HIV during the pandemic and how they continue to expand it due to the good results.

After the presentations, the session had to be closed at 8.30 p.m. and they committed to continue the conversation virtually.