Sdg Cities Lusophone Innitiative - The Portuguese Speaking Countries Example

Localizing SDGs is crucial to achieving the 2030 Agenda. Cities, regions, and communities play a key role in implementing the SDG targets, where tangible policies, programs, and practices are developed and implemented. Focusing efforts at the local level makes it possible to tailor strategies to the specific needs of each context, actively engage citizens and local stakeholders, and ensure that no one and any place is left behind. In addition, localizing the SDGs, allows a more integrated and holistic approach to sustainable development, recognizing the interconnections between the various goals and fostering collaboration between different sectors and stakeholders at the local level.

Portugal is working on the SDG's indicators alignment, having presented its second VNR in July 2023. A section for SDGs was created in 2022 at the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities, and in this sense, several Portuguese municipalities have joined forces to develop their Voluntary Local Reports. In this process, 6 SDG laboratories were created for Lusophone Cities, which aim to involve countries of the Portuguese-speaking Community. For example, the SDG's Municipalities Lusophone Seminar, held in Mafra in September 2023, allowed the exchange of experiences on the way to innovative solutions for the Portuguese-speaking countries.

Following 2024 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) participation, it was observed that, globally, progress towards the SDGs is moving at different velocities and, in many cases, falls short of the necessary pace to meet the 2030 Agenda targets. Several key challenges emerged from the HLPF discussions, particularly the urgent need to accelerate financing for sustainable development, as financing continues to be a major barrier. Furthermore, it was widely acknowledged that multilateral partnerships and international cooperation are crucial to promote progress, especially in areas such as energy transition, climate adaptation, and social inclusion. New approaches to create more effective partnerships were discussed, as well as ways to strengthen funding mechanisms at both global and local levels, ensuring that resources reach the communities most in need.

It was concluded during the side event "SDG Cities Lusophone Initiative - The Portuguese Speaking Countries Example", at HLPF, that the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals is progressing at different speeds in Lusophone countries. While some countries are in more advanced stages of SDG implementation, others face significant challenges in moving forward. This disparity highlights the importance of continuous collaboration and mutual support among Lusophone countries.

It was acknowledged that coordinated efforts of Lusophone countries and communities can accelerate the sustainable development of Lusophone localities worldwide while acknowledging a development at different speeds and aiming to close this gap in the long term. To advance the efforts towards SDG implementation within the Lusophone areas, the Municipality of Mafra, UN-Habitat and other potential partners are working together to support the Lusophone countries and communities. This side event proposal represents the first step in this endeavor, providing a platform for collaboration, stakeholder engagement, knowledge exchange and capacity building that will contribute to the sustainable development of Portuguese-speaking countries.