I.Metshin: "The actions of the UN and its programs should be based on a deep understanding of local realities"
The Mayor of Kazan joined the leadership of the new political council for the implementation of the UCLG's new urban development program.
Ilsur Metshin, Mayor of Kazan, President of the United Nations Advisory Committee on Local Authorities (UNACLA), has joined the governing body of the new political council for the implementation of the new urban development program of the United Cities and Local Authorities (UCLG) organization. The Council was established this week by decision of the UCLG Committee on Statutory Issues.
One of the meetings of the World Council of the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) organization took place late this evening. The event was held from November 9 to 13 in Guangzhou, China, and participants from other countries joined the discussions online. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the participants of the UCLG World Council meeting via videoconference. The meeting was attended by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization, and Maimouna Mohd Sharif, Executive Director of UN-Habitat. Ilsur Metshin, Mayor of Kazan and President of the United Nations Advisory Committee on Local Authorities (UNACLA), took part in the meeting via videoconference.
As part of the discussion of the vision of the updated UCLG strategy, Ilsur Metshin made a report at the section "UCLG activities for the benefit of Governments." Speakers from Spain, Morocco, Great Britain, Mexico, Mauritania, Ecuador and Sweden also participated in the discussion. As it was noted at the meeting, the COVID-19 pandemic has adjusted the plans of many countries. The Mayor of Kazan, for his part, noted that the COVID-19 crisis has clearly shown the importance of local authorities to the whole world.
"The new urban Development agenda is the main foundation of the sustainable development agenda. Inclusive and sustainable cities, which are open and accountable to their citizens, are crucial for achieving the 2030 Agenda for urban development and all global goals," Ilsur Metshin emphasized in his speech.
Next year, the UN member states will begin submitting the first reports on the implementation of the new urban development program. As the speaker noted, UCLG and UNACLA will have to play a main role in monitoring this work and provide relevant information to UN-Habitat.
"Together, we must continue to promote the inclusion of the local perspective on development on global agendas and promote dialogue between local and national governments. This dialogue should be carried out on the basis of a systematic exchange of views on issues related to strengthening the role of local authorities," stressed the Mayor of Kazan and added that such a dialogue is being successfully established in Russia. In January, I. Metshin met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting of the Council for the Development of Local Authorities and discussed the most acute issues facing Russian municipalities and the prospects for cooperation with federal authorities to resolve them.
According to the head of UNACLA, a similar dialogue should be established in other countries. At the same time, the most important issue for local governments around the world is to match the scope of authority to the financial capabilities of local and regional budgets. "For this, national governments should be open to listen to the views of local and regional authorities during the creation of the national taxation system and inter-budgetary relations. It is also important to bring the voices of local and regional authorities to international organizations, including various UN structures, and raise awareness of the important role of municipalities in achieving sustainable development," said I. Metshin.
One of the meetings of the World Council of the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) organization took place late this evening. The event was held from November 9 to 13 in Guangzhou, China, and participants from other countries joined the discussions online. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the participants of the UCLG World Council meeting via videoconference. The meeting was attended by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization, and Maimouna Mohd Sharif, Executive Director of UN-Habitat. Ilsur Metshin, Mayor of Kazan and President of the United Nations Advisory Committee on Local Authorities (UNACLA), took part in the meeting via videoconference.
As part of the discussion of the vision of the updated UCLG strategy, Ilsur Metshin made a report at the section "UCLG activities for the benefit of Governments." Speakers from Spain, Morocco, Great Britain, Mexico, Mauritania, Ecuador and Sweden also participated in the discussion. As it was noted at the meeting, the COVID-19 pandemic has adjusted the plans of many countries. The Mayor of Kazan, for his part, noted that the COVID-19 crisis has clearly shown the importance of local authorities to the whole world.
"The new urban Development agenda is the main foundation of the sustainable development agenda. Inclusive and sustainable cities, which are open and accountable to their citizens, are crucial for achieving the 2030 Agenda for urban development and all global goals," Ilsur Metshin emphasized in his speech.
Next year, the UN member states will begin submitting the first reports on the implementation of the new urban development program. As the speaker noted, UCLG and UNACLA will have to play a main role in monitoring this work and provide relevant information to UN-Habitat.
"Together, we must continue to promote the inclusion of the local perspective on development on global agendas and promote dialogue between local and national governments. This dialogue should be carried out on the basis of a systematic exchange of views on issues related to strengthening the role of local authorities," stressed the Mayor of Kazan and added that such a dialogue is being successfully established in Russia. In January, I. Metshin met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting of the Council for the Development of Local Authorities and discussed the most acute issues facing Russian municipalities and the prospects for cooperation with federal authorities to resolve them.
According to the head of UNACLA, a similar dialogue should be established in other countries. At the same time, the most important issue for local governments around the world is to match the scope of authority to the financial capabilities of local and regional budgets. "For this, national governments should be open to listen to the views of local and regional authorities during the creation of the national taxation system and inter-budgetary relations. It is also important to bring the voices of local and regional authorities to international organizations, including various UN structures, and raise awareness of the important role of municipalities in achieving sustainable development," said I. Metshin.
The new urban development program is the first step towards localization. It will make it possible to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and implement the points of the Paris Climate Agreement. UNACLA has an important role to play in promoting this idea.
"Today we are all going through tough times, but they also open up new opportunities for us. History shows that the image of modern civilization has often been shaped by crises. The COVID-19 crisis has shown the world the importance of local governments. The quality of people's lives and safety is primarily affected by a particular city or region. Local authorities are the structure that directly interacts with people, knows their problems and needs," said the Mayor of Kazan.
He reminded the panelists that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. In 1945, when the main UN structure was being formed, 28% of the world's population lived in cities. This rate has doubled by 2020, and now about 56% of the world's population are urban residents. As reported by to I. Metshin, according to various forecasts, in 2045, when the United Nations turns 100, this index may reach 65-70%.
"Therefore, new times require new approaches. The UN's actions and programs should be based on a deep understanding of local realities. The importance of municipalities should be reflected in the UN structure itself. To date, local and regional authorities are not represented in it. Key decisions are made with the participation of national governments only," the speaker noted.
Thus, an effective solution could be the inclusion in the UN structure of a new body consisting of representatives of local and regional authorities and defending their interests. For example, 45 years after the creation of the Council of Europe, in 1994, the Congress of Local and regional authorities was included in it.
According to the President of UNACLA, the creation of a new structure that interacts directly with the UN General Assembly could make it possible to collect information about current and emerging urban problems quicker and find effective solutions. "This could underline the importance of local governments as equal participants on the global agenda and catalysts for achieving the SDGs," he stressed.
"Today we are staying on the verge of a new stage in the development of the United Nations. The UCLG and UNACLA should become one of the initiators and engines of this process," concluded I. Metshin.
The speech of the President of UNACLA found a lively response from the participants of the meeting.
Mayors of cities such as Geneva, Rome, Barcelona, Paris, Johannesburg, Bogota and other cities of the world participated in the sessions and panel discussions of the UCLG World Council and shared their vision of the future strategy of the UCLG.
"Today we are all going through tough times, but they also open up new opportunities for us. History shows that the image of modern civilization has often been shaped by crises. The COVID-19 crisis has shown the world the importance of local governments. The quality of people's lives and safety is primarily affected by a particular city or region. Local authorities are the structure that directly interacts with people, knows their problems and needs," said the Mayor of Kazan.
He reminded the panelists that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. In 1945, when the main UN structure was being formed, 28% of the world's population lived in cities. This rate has doubled by 2020, and now about 56% of the world's population are urban residents. As reported by to I. Metshin, according to various forecasts, in 2045, when the United Nations turns 100, this index may reach 65-70%.
"Therefore, new times require new approaches. The UN's actions and programs should be based on a deep understanding of local realities. The importance of municipalities should be reflected in the UN structure itself. To date, local and regional authorities are not represented in it. Key decisions are made with the participation of national governments only," the speaker noted.
Thus, an effective solution could be the inclusion in the UN structure of a new body consisting of representatives of local and regional authorities and defending their interests. For example, 45 years after the creation of the Council of Europe, in 1994, the Congress of Local and regional authorities was included in it.
According to the President of UNACLA, the creation of a new structure that interacts directly with the UN General Assembly could make it possible to collect information about current and emerging urban problems quicker and find effective solutions. "This could underline the importance of local governments as equal participants on the global agenda and catalysts for achieving the SDGs," he stressed.
"Today we are staying on the verge of a new stage in the development of the United Nations. The UCLG and UNACLA should become one of the initiators and engines of this process," concluded I. Metshin.
The speech of the President of UNACLA found a lively response from the participants of the meeting.
Mayors of cities such as Geneva, Rome, Barcelona, Paris, Johannesburg, Bogota and other cities of the world participated in the sessions and panel discussions of the UCLG World Council and shared their vision of the future strategy of the UCLG.