Toledo City Council hosted this afternoon the conference “The world of cities and the application of the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda”.

More than two hundred people—almost half in person—attended this meeting organized by the FEMP, the City Council of the capital of La Mancha, and the Federation’s Network of Local Entities for the 2030 Agenda.

Two panel discussions and fourteen speakers, mostly mayors, emphasized the need to advance in the fulfillment of the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda.

The President of the FEMP Network of Local Entities for the 2030 Agenda, José Hila, highlighted that “the Network is a commitment by City Councils to achieve the SDGs, and this commitment has led Spanish Local Governments to be among the most advanced in compliance, as was confirmed at the United Nations. Local commitment and citizen participation, because the Goals are not achieved by institutions, they are achieved by society.”

Panel discussion I

The first of the panel discussions, “Keys to advancing the fulfillment of the 2030 Agenda from the local level,” was moderated by the president of the Network, José Hila, and included the participation of Amparo Marco, Susana P. Quislant, María del Mar Vázquez, Jesús Santos Gimeno, and Joaquín Hernández, mayors of Castelló, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Almería, Alcorcón, and Lorquí, respectively.

Amparo Marco Gual focused her speech on the urban agenda of the city of Castelló, noting that “The SDGs are nothing more than taking care of what we love, which is taking care of our people and taking care of our city.” Following the same line, Susana P. Quislant emphasized the eleventh Sustainable Development Goal and the difficulties that localities face in its application.

Jesús Santos Gimeno began by reflecting and pointing out that the goals must be a spearhead for municipalities and for the whole community, since they are an opportunity for growth and the creation of quality employment.

For her part, María del Mar Vázquez pointed out the commitment between Administrations, business owners, and civil society: “we must ensure that by 2030 more than 80% of the 2030 Agenda is already implemented.”

Finally, Joaquín Hernández mentioned the importance of public-private collaboration in advancing the fulfillment of the 2030 Agenda goals.

Panel discussion II

The second panel was moderated by the mayor of Santander, Gema Igual, who affirmed the need to raise awareness from municipalities and to highlight and publicize the benefits of complying with the 2030 Agenda. “Networking with other administrations and city councils, as in the FEMP, is essential and wonderful.”

Ángeles Armisen, president of the Palencia Provincial Council, stressed the importance of determining the role of the rural world in the future and the need to address challenges collectively.

The mayor of Canyelles, Rosa Huguet, and Luis Vélez, councilor for Mobility and Urban Space of Valladolid, pointed out the obligation for change facing city councils. Both they and the mayor of Talavera, Tita García, highlighted the importance of making citizens understand the positive aspects of the SDGs.

Closing the panel, Manuel Lorenzo, president of the NGO Coordinator of Castilla-La Mancha, recalled the importance of leaving no one behind in the process. “The work we carry out from the local level is fundamental to achieving the goals together.” “We must act locally, but towards the global.”

FULL STORY HERE